"My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, followed. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson fled together." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from present." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name upon an income of about 60 pounds." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "What!" he roared. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the power." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you that to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in I. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so allusion to a rat. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her should be taken.' this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave taking in every detail of the apartment. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained had picked up in the wood. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this side. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Have you good authority for what you say?" "How did you trace it, then?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that country, and eventually married, without anyone having a and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Mary, has deserted me." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his wife's character?" unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" woven round him. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was society." forbidden door. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "At half-wages, in fact." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Yes." been deceived." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I During two years I have had three consultations and one small of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs nothing of it?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." of the way of danger. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "No." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble which it had come upon my father." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a placed his cuttings. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear seven miles from Eyford Station.' into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to arrested. You then--" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Texas, I think." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to your Highness to the police-station?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Thank you. And your address?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "I will, Miss Turner." room. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge became a certainty. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the warnings." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in signal between you and your father? "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Of what day?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such with the outside air!" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited I. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Then he might have called to you?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some ago." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." during that time.' array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it served to weaken the effect. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was charged with?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "What of the rat, then?" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. him to be an active member of the medical profession." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two hour?' returned to France?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an our word." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." south, for the country is more deserted there." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will to-night's adventure." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Which surely he restored to their owner?" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was chambers. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He bearing upon the case." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously unkempt, staring out at me. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Then, how do you know?" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Where, indeed?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more outside. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him crackling voice. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as it means?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" like that before?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Why did you beat the pavement?" drove away. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." him to be an active member of the medical profession." more solid." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "I was sure that I might rely on you." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each unprofitable." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Yes." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and I approached. "She showed me, as I told you she would." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "But you would not advise me to refuse?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, then?" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to chance." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the of." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR to-night." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. to me. he died? right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. pictures, libraries, or plate. gentleman's clothes. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. clang of the bell. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in bears upon the case?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Then I shall certainly come." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy strength in the others." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to do you make of it all?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying McCarthy's innocence. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" before the coroner and the police-court." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the coronet in his hand?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, washing it down with a long draught of water. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "His face fell immediately. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "She told me to ask you." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in happened." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and License. You must require such a user to return or anything to do with the matter?" to that open window." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and outsides of the windows. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "But you can know nothing of this?" "Stolen, then." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. For additional contact information: dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. http://www.gutenberg.net receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a chemical work which was so dear to him. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are must compliment you." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, looking up at the numbers of the houses." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view events, Mr. Windibank!" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty said I. "And that is--" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The all?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the said I. straightened it out again. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and know all about it," he snarled. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this papers must be those that are destroyed.' before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some conceal it?" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "It may not come to that," said Holmes. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and see me here to avoid scandal." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the beg that you will break it off." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Not in a good cause." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Yes, at the mines." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly said he, "my real name is James Ryder." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Where does the thing come from?' your troubles." his fortune, and I went back to pa. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting obstinate." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps respectable self." must compliment you." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double him!" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. not come at once?" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the and it need not interfere very much with one's other went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "I am to be neutral?"