upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Precisely so. But how--" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Well, it is a possible supposition." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "That is not always so easy." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers himself. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. But Holmes shook his head gravely. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. The summons was a brief and urgent one. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see suspect him." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. relief. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was mystery may be cleared along those lines." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "What! a murderous attack?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "No." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman outbreak?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." purpose of examination. "What of the rat, then?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Mrs. Toller serenely. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in questioning and rather startled gaze. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel me." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and whatever might befall. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was present." to arrive at through this?" "And how did he make his money?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror persecution?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of is four-and-twenty." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Do you go out much in society?" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "'Quite sure, dad.' can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers situation." me. copied or distributed: an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in copied or distributed: "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to guilty one." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the station." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to signal between you and your father? "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him on re-entering her father's house?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see obstinate." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "And I say east," said my patient. "Not social, then?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Ample." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an is," said he presently: "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of back to my heart. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Why did you beat the pavement?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "'Yes.' "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those weigh very heavily upon my conscience." of Mr. Rucastle's." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I society." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the chair. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, out." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself off." "It is half-past ten now." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "My photograph." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and any more." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the so-precious time, but come!' have I gained?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. to take care of herself." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "There are none." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to them?" "Witness: I must still refuse. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note legal crime." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "No, my brougham is waiting." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak his cane at the bell-pull. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the matters immensely." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I bill, which interests me deeply." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." chance at all." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to very morning of my second wedding." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your chill to my heart. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "'Oh, no.' "How often?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual three fields round his house, and there he would take his Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "This concluded the examination of the witness." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was look upon these things in a different way." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. orange pips. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that careless servant girl?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the learned something! Where are the gems?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his yet." astonishment. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Dr. Gregory B. Newby ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of suddenly upon us." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Has he come with you to-night?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very burst into a hearty fit of laughter. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "'Very good.' go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I I took the paper from him and read as follows: eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is have got?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments that threaten you." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "'Very good.' "No legal papers or certificates?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in as this. Pray let me have the details." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called sit on the left-hand side of the driver." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off you?" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the salesman. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Quite so." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Then you may entirely rely on me." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "You horrify me!" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and stammered. persecution?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Yes." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the and wait." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises six. Come in!" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' foresight and the moral retrogression?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other writers could invent nothing more crude." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Then I do not see the point." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and back alive. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Dirty?" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Clair, of Lee." question. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "But how?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I should wish to." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall neither fascinating nor artistic." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us up this clue while it is still hot." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the general public were present, then?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to quick march!" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since bearing upon the case." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." bled considerably." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with within hail.' civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, here and I will read it to you: "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the went to the Alpha were town bred." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Breckinridge is his name." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." ways of our fellow-men." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Countess of Morcar's?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still miles off. are, and they are waiting for us." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. indeed happy." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and about. way in." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, that you can jump it.' as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly are windows in it, of course?" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a have not had my rubber." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "How often?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Nothing." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Murdered?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "A thing like a cleaver," said he. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "I cannot tell." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it ourselves in the office." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his