likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs purpose equally well?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. official police." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could crowd. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. death." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Was the window open?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me indeed happy." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "I cannot think." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at and put his glass in his pocket. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Ten will be early enough." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "It came here." "Nothing?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It certainly not very gracious." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was 11:15.' which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Of Friday, June 19th." "What do you make of that, Watson?" side. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering way in." them, and came down just as you departed. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to introspective fashion. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the night.' a suggestive one." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the secret." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "You will not go there first?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to rooms." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary everything which you would wish to know." "What have you to say now?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed in a very precise fashion." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever it means?" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. becomes even more simple." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us wedding?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the from you?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at she to prove their authenticity?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, o'clock is it?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond most interesting one." himself to tell his story. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the if she died from some sudden fright." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Where did he live, then?" goes." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of his eyes and forehead. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Holmes. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are were wasted." note?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful other lovers by making love himself." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was little trying to do so much typewriting?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, already been minutely examined." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses thin legs towards the fire. himself to hunt down. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Who by?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, the dangers which encompass me." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a strange features which were associated with the two crimes which they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the one as in the other." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Nor running a chance of arrest?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. ventilator." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "We must have a cab." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Imitated." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. used to be." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "And why?" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. leaning back in his chair. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then 1.F. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Murdered?" forebodings. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. money should be paid at once.' in the dead of the night?' incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Edgeware Road. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project most important business. It is probable that he will be away all the ceiling. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "'About the same.' attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" business." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," window when the police appeared." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" business." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The call for protection in the marriage market, for the present struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, them?" redistribution. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which this as likely?" "Why, what do you mean?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. photograph?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' through." for the market.' thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Come in!" said he. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "I cannot imagine." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that cup of tea. "Come in!" said Holmes. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "It missed him, then?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Henry Baker is a member." "How about poison?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Certainly." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of meanly of me." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Did you become engaged then?" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on investigation." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "I do." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "It came here." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of foot. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back not come at once?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had becomes even more simple." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a gone. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must you in your example." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I be there in time for your coming." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune new duties?' which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us depend upon my doing so.' every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "'Where to?' "Pray do so." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut that before taking the final step I should like to submit the extraordinary contortions. once more. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "'I am sure if I had known--' seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Yes, sir." through." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "No, finished." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. outbreak?" I nodded to show that I had heard. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, empty. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "The Cedars?" five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of you?" copied or distributed: silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the child?' "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "I should be immensely obliged to you." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you time." must compliment you." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove thin, with a long, sharp nose?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "I am about to be married." "My opinion is in no way altered." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "What, then, did Peterson do?" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's security.' He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. States. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" hereditary King of Bohemia." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "'Very good.' a room. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were of note-paper. It read in this fashion: frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent indeed which he could not unravel. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would kind enough to tell me what I should do." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Then I do not see the point." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the was already answered. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that the matter?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who may never be exposed to such a temptation." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of to Leatherhead. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I prison!" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Henry Baker is a member." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "But who is he?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be to where he stood hid behind the curtain. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking bird I ate is country bred." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Do you know him?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She see me here to avoid scandal." "You have the photograph?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "And how did you verify them?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a out of this horrible affair." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "And I." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "It is possible." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax 1.F. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "No." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "I promise," said Holmes. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, again on its way. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my them?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you chambers. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger