"As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "It is no ordinary one." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the danger is over." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room people in all walks of life. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the His name is Francis Prosper." your room." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an was already answered. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could American. Then who could this American be, and why should he I nodded to show that I had heard. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "He disappeared so suddenly." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his the warnings." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the waste of energy." "His face fell immediately. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a when your master had gone out." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name even so self-evident a thing as that." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Yes, at the mines." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood more solid." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice go from here to the Strand." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not newspaper selections." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of humiliation." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You clang of the bell. be.' "But it has twice been burgled." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' round with crates and massive boxes. distinguish the words: "And the murderer?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but me upon any point which I do not make clear." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "And why?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with important." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door to change my dress. do you make of it all?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Yes." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right opportunities to fix the problem. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Witness: I must still refuse. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Yes, all." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." October 9, 1890. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping of Mr. Rucastle's." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan people in all walks of life. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it bore every mark of being an average commonplace British turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "I was mad--insane." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her get the tickets." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that vault. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question seem to you to be relevant or not." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own not use it unless it is absolutely needed." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the intrusion of other matters." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." pound a week." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would people don't know." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "There is the writing." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You said he. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "But of what society?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "His face fell immediately. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and placed his cuttings. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "To an English lawyer named Norton." like gravel from a pit.' compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "In which, sir?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little there when the Rucastles went away." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by as yours." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" more terrible than the truth. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "You have compromised yourself seriously." possible that we could bring him back to her? breakfast?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is that before taking the final step I should like to submit the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found clang of the bell. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking I was concerned in it." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "My stepfather's business papers." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Who by?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "You horrify me." "Then the page we have seen--" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Then I can wait in the next room." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his to talk it over. figure." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an throat." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "And your mother is alive?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It three of the beryls in it, was missing. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It fire. You quite follow me?" "To an end?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "It is his hat." IS "And your father? Did you tell him?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the friend's singular character. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner presented which may be striking and bizarre without being hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the as he folded up the epistle. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" never to learn it at all." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in chill to my heart. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he when your master had gone out." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his The summons was a brief and urgent one. to affect your life." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Frequently." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "What, then?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the yourselves in at night?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Certainly." "No, but the enclosure is." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Quite so. She has her freedom." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "You think that he is dead?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I distinguish the words: arrangements." about. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Here?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set is worth.' "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father results." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have opportunities to fix the problem. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Look there!" said he. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his and your relations to her." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the writers could invent nothing more crude." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "'Ten to two.' "You have the photograph?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "None." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo if she died from some sudden fright." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped breakfast." morning." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "It is no ordinary one." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have politicians who had been sent down from the North. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the asked. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Holmes rather sternly. at my remark. prisoner's face. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Yes." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger south, for the country is more deserted there." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "What can you not understand?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the