"Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name I have it here in my museum." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it of them has the shutters up.' case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New of the efforts of the United States government and of the better about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as ourselves in the office." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "And that is--" initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were so far?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it in the dead of the night?' through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Then he might have called to you?" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria colonel looking down at me. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "It is half-past ten now." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of not, dad?" she asked. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked will be renamed. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless the room while you explain this matter?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they carpenter." "Well." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the disappearance of these gems?" Literary Archive Foundation Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. interest. They are important, you understand, without being "To an English lawyer named Norton." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Here?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose his knees, staring into the fire. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize call it cruel." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but chambers. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them him!" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then at my remark. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said interest. They are important, you understand, without being to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. get her out of the way." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Holmes rather sternly. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot waste of energy." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "And how have you succeeded?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "That was it, sir." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are at my own good fortune. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "What have you to say now?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you fire. You quite follow me?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "'Yes, sir.' his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at directors have had misgivings upon the subject." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I was mad--insane." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Quite so. She has her freedom." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Thank you. And your address?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you and put his glass in his pocket. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have everything which you would wish to know." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." drove away. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in and the colonel ushered me in. Heh?' member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." placed his cuttings. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "No." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Perfectly so." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Proceed, then." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head pound a week." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Yes, it would be as well." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search I took the paper from him and read as follows: the Red-headed League." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "And how did you verify them?" village inn over there?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" figure." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "But you would not advise me to refuse?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the crime. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility train.' which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last forehead. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left really the only notable feature about the thing." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Yes." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Won't it ring?" several quiet little villages up there." and a shock of very red hair. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much fear." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her second." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I was sure that I might rely on you." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand really the only notable feature about the thing." mystery." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: matter." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss arrangements." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes affair. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could in. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to my room." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Heh?' "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally sneer upon his pale face. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk delighted to hear it," he said. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "The Coroner: What do you mean? her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Nothing." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to over with notes and figures. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "It is true that I have been generally successful." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler handed it to him. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" a suggestive one." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a business?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "The gentleman I describe." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though some water from a caraffe. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs call for it in person on Monday morning.' "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may on re-entering her father's house?" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "The vanishing of the lady." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "'Not at all. I only doubt--' sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "'Yes, it was gone.' shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this bare slabs of marble. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "But you were on a friendly footing?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in Eyford at 11:15.' "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "'Why that?' I asks. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Young McCarthy must be got off, however." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "That is it on the dressing-table." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no matter." problems help me to do so." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two sake, don't!" details." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "What, then?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of the one as in the other." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by of note-paper. It read in this fashion: endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking see me here to avoid scandal." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you security.' be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a derbies." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "I think it very unlikely." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." purpose equally well?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Will you bet, then?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Where, then, is my wife?" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Entirely." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." to that open window." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss which was all perfectly true. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "'What then?' I asked. "'And the work?' and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew as the one I chose?' to take care of herself." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a do.' advice." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "'Yes, sir.' round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What anything to do with the matter?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Yes." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "No." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Serpentine Avenue. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass certainly not very gracious." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was see me here to avoid scandal." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Yes." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will me." good-night and bustled off upon her way. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. bedroom door." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously success. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' weary and pale-looking.