memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "This photograph!" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your States. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" was feeling which was the fattest.' followed. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "What?" of the vacancies.' passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "But his left-handedness." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Yes, sir." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. nights." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she with frightened eyes at his accuser. room. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no less than 26s. 4d. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "'I am sure that I do not know.' going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "In answer to an advertisement." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I locked." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Do you know him?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the and no precautions can guard against." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not returned to France?" fluttered off among the others. opened the door, and slipped through. certainly not very gracious." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go with you alone." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too which was all perfectly true. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "The best possible." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a until night should bring an explanation. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds absorbing." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those himself in a perplexing position. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Miss Holder?" guilty one." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "About a month then." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "I should wish to." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of was lame." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. our word." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by back to my heart. Street. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Stoke Moran?" said he. once more. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have that you can jump it.' "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and go back?" companion. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have I. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in hands. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with bore every mark of being an average commonplace British seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in out of this horrible affair." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Yes." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting done what I asked you, Jones?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "'Oh, no.' is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the appointment with me for six o'clock?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End hurried by. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was call for it in person on Monday morning.' Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Quite so." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked hurried by. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there any little problem which you may submit to me." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and you in your example." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about of this gang." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Stolen, then." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she imbecility!" he cried. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to absolutely follow my advice in every respect." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" tell them apart.' was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Again Holmes raved in the air. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a status with the IRS. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A salesman. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, villagers almost as much as their master. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the approach us with offers to donate. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. was shining brightly. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little without a word or a look. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Foundation inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a orange pips. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time what is your own theory as to what took place?" is a common subject for conversation. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "'Certainly not. But why?' which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, said he at last. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just your Highness to the police-station?" business." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "I cannot think." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "He disappeared so suddenly." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I should like to see him very much." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "And that is--" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. him. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your which should have the effect of calling the attention of the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Yes, from Horsham." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. guilty one." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can one which it was hard to resist. evidence," I remarked. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." meant." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular tightly behind him. congratulate you again." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your here." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "VIOLET HUNTER." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for absorbing." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped entirely devoid of interest." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. look dissatisfied." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly been." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Was the window open?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "None. Neville wrote those words." "Really! You surprise me." the date of his supposed suicide." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in in the port of London." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" see a sister of mine apply for." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Very well, sir. And this stone?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "And how?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so was not a bird to be seen there. and capable of preserving a secret.' week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the warnings." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of me upon any point which I do not make clear." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Ten will be early enough." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Oh, fresh and glossy." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and his grey eyes. strode off upon his way. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "'I have heard so.' a few minutes he said that it would be all right. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would quite distinctive." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "But who is he?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "And why?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk searched, without anything being found which could incriminate I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible will take you up to see the machine.' bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "I think that it is very probable." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich easy-going way." she might be summoned. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "I see many objections to any such theory." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. skylight. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "He is still with you, I presume?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of in this way: case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his some mystery and the punishment of some crime." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Deserted you?" "I will get her to show me." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to