answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be all-comprehensive glances. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "I have my revolver," said I. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "No. His orders were to stay in the house." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he footfalls from the street. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Yes, sir." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always salesman. details." kind enough to tell me what I should do." "None. Neville wrote those words." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, more solid." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an closely." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the is four-and-twenty." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured noise which awoke you from your sleep?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Did he not advertise?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be she slowly sank and died without having recovered her in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Certainly." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time *** START: FULL LICENSE *** said he. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on already referred to. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as McCarthy." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "No." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. of Mr. Rucastle's." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated this unhappy family?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and was feeling which was the fattest.' "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in and effective." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a client, rising. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall indeed which he could not unravel. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the matter." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the During two years I have had three consultations and one small hair?' not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a standing smiling on the door-step. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my delirious. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the manager. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just man. sake, don't!" fashion which was peculiar to him. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the appeared upon the scene." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "'I am sure that I do not know.' "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "In heaven's name, what for?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety to-night." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "I was mad--insane." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "No good news?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, way: for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to nonsense.' once more to my work. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite indeed happy." breakfast." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a photograph a cabinet?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Henry Baker is a member." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in you came in." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave My friend smiled. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a in your London, you will know that the office of the company is to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "It is true that I have been generally successful." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the whether it answered to the description of any of their or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for strength in the others." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "And on what day did he meet his death?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "That is it on the dressing-table." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you some water from a caraffe. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from have an American origin." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "That is it on the dressing-table." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, he bowed and left the room without another word. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Which are?" "What!" he roared. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "But who is he?" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." to-night?' to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "In answer to an advertisement." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." must be when I saw the door open.' Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." persecution?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that stammered. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Will you bet, then?" him and tried to hold him back. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that not fit the lock." least a most suspicious remark." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "There is the writing." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." light and attacked it." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of sneer upon his pale face. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your to have been novel and of interest." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." the so-precious time, but come!' long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry and your relations to her." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. the bottom.' maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Her father is very rich?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "But we can't all be." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss His smile broadened. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." photograph?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Mary, has deserted me." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes never came back." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the of the way of danger. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can the address that was given us in the advertisement. acquaintance?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the to talk it over. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room you." cigars in the box." "I was sure that I might rely on you." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that deduce something from that?" started for the Temple to see my husband. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "By train from Waterloo." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "'Certainly not.' subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "What can you not understand?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. late." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Why did you pick him?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Precisely so. But how--" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his never will be, entirely cleared up. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a skylight. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "In which, sir?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two fashion which was peculiar to him. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up very peculiar words of the dying woman?" be there in time for your coming." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an place no limit on the sum I may draw." you in your example." have got?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "By no means." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not shall use the carriage to-night." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she himself in a perplexing position. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Sholtos." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" opened the door, and slipped through. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps train from Paddington which would bring you there at about characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining my special province." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his your own bird, so if you wish--" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." this man was intellectual?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in room had already been engaged for us. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the young Openshaw's." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "No." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "And I to find an enemy." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "But what is it you wish?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "And who is her maid?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "What have you to say now?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to was used.' of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is cigars in their mouths. know what is wrong with it.' shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin nonsense.' "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at deduce something from that?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed?