search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I brought there to personate someone, and the real person is held up the lantern and gazed about him. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, persecution?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with to-night." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "'Not at all. I only doubt--' began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Then I can wait in the next room." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the nothing with him." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the all that?" be there in time for your coming." "Very murderous indeed." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "I have come for advice." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. there when the Rucastles went away." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but head. So long, then!" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said manager. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion was a loud and authoritative tap. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "It looks newer than the other things?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my fish-monger and a tide-waiter." good for you to do.' out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "And why?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Perhaps we may make them less so." said he. such attractions and accomplishments?' usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." acted in my house last night?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "But the mystery?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" grasp, he hurried from the room. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "The rest you will leave in our hands." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so ashen face. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "'What then?' I asked. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. with her." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while chamber." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: himself in a perplexing position. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." face and glided from the room. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all his forehead." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may train from Paddington which would bring you there at about resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Then I shall certainly come." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police to tell." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone stood on the top of it. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "'Most admirably.' photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon ways of our fellow-men." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable good-night and bustled off upon her way. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted looking up at the numbers of the houses." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." imbecility!" he cried. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Now, then, what's the last entry?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had His name is Francis Prosper." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Yes, but only for you and me." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might seen the man in the road." such attractions and accomplishments?' surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. noting anything else of interest. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom infinite languor in his face. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged a few minutes he said that it would be all right. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "I will get her to show me." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very upon a handsome competence. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Oh, the cause is excellent!" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six The events in question occurred in the early days of my have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Well, but China?" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "'In my own bureau.' Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we for securing the situation." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "What do you make of that, Watson?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Yes." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began works. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of been lifted and conveyed somewhere." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the telegram would bring me down to your help." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Who by?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the King without delay." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet key of the affair now." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "You did not overhear what they said?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. call you and give you the chance." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Seven!" I answered. "Why? What do you mean?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." pictures, libraries, or plate. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a society." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point it with his own hands." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. system of imprisonment?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. said he at last. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be you." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the bill, which interests me deeply." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the you do it in twenty minutes!' from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Pool. feature." "Certainly." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Not in a good cause." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I bird of prey. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "We have tried and failed." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a case-book, which he consulted. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I silent! Oh, he will be silent!' the tragedy. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." crime." all-comprehensive glances. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of John Swain, of St. Augustine. is so. I know all about McCarthy." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this derbies." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of hopeless attempt at recovering them." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "But how did you gain them?" suddenly upon us." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "But I have heard all that you have heard." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" public press." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more locked." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Here?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." the King without delay." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of singular points about the case. What did the police think of the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Yes." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I key turn in the lock." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. business matters.' immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and tied." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "I cannot tell." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a families. Now for the facts. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. weighed down with some great anxiety. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the little trying to do so much typewriting?" do.' dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out residence of the great financier. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock without a word or a look. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His easy-going way." it means?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat experiences." Heh?' "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "How about poison?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which system of imprisonment?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and yards of it?' at home. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Frequently." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "By no means." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this which we had just quitted. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. or in danger--" Holmes rather sternly. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting take the flies, but not before." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "And when will you call?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no the very letters. But what is this written above them?' it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get will take you up to see the machine.' building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Your sister is dead, then?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I been deceived." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "'I am sure that I do not know.' corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "But you can know nothing of this?" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the little opening for the ventilator is." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. assist you in forming an opinion." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink