name is different." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "And sit in the dark?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Yes, all." "Your French gold?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the habit of advancing money.' laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Yes, all." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "You have a clue?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and father's place of business?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy husband's writing, madam." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Always." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "But the mystery?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "That is easily got." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I should wish to." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, is worth.' rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. distinguish the words: should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more one else, I think." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "I am in hopes that she does." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, to take care of herself." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "No, I am descending." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to to arrive at through this?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was married her." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in to take care of herself." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Literary Archive Foundation was a perfect sample of the class. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of in this way: precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call never will be, entirely cleared up. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Two days later this same performance was gone through under horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and crime. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Yes, he did." keep the flames under. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another weary and pale-looking. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case works. See paragraph 1.E below. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "I cannot tell." "Which are?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had observed. to-night?" I asked. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. bird of prey. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "'Which dealer's?' was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not chance." of it with the greatest attention. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "I see many objections to any such theory." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Holmes' thin, eager face. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "But she will refuse." with frightened eyes at his accuser. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." this unhappy family?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we discontent upon his features. "Not in the least." "He is dead," cried several voices. exactly what you advise." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "But not more so than I to find you." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which is entirely a question of barometric pressure." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the empty. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. said Mr. Holder. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "A confidential servant?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that take the flies, but not before." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Holmes." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "And your father? Did you tell him?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the which we had just quitted. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Why, what do you mean?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. is so. I know all about McCarthy." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Of what day?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further himself to hunt down. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Pray continue your narrative." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "How did you deduce the select?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has upon the sideboard." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. mystery!" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! retorted upon me, and I on you." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Perfectly so." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "None." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "But you were on a friendly footing?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "And you thought he was pulled back?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." flock.' knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "The landlord of the Alpha." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I criminal. We have already had experience of such." "She told me to ask you." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem fled together." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' in this note: "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria within hail.' from you?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "No more words. Get out!" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was key of the affair now." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, other means.' sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their that, and I came down." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Well, some hundreds of times." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "ARAT," I read. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "'Never,' said I. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of confronted him. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "What will you say?" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," during the last few years, and there are many noble families to remarked. "The landlord of the Alpha." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. mysterious end." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into come either from the window or the door. My attention was putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but for securing the situation." "Not in a good cause." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the seven miles from Eyford Station.' clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "I would give my fortune to have them back." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or go--none." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were know all about it," he snarled. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I his wife has ceased to love him." affection." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "'Certainly not. But why?' "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "What, then, did Peterson do?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor it. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my you want, then?' hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Doctor, of the paper and the date." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which little adventures." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much stammered. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Very truly yours, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "And how have you succeeded?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all and wait." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought Chief Executive and Director some terrible trap for her." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "It is possible." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to unclasping of his long thin hands. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, the station." Gutenberg-tm License. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "He is still with you, I presume?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to in the port of London." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't carried out of court." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't excitement. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." in darkness. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that rooms." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "No." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. forehead. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the voice. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining III. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Eyford at 11:15.' ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Then you may be so with me." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "It was an hour's good drive." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I colonel looking down at me. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, not come at once?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning bill, which interests me deeply." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt business at Coburg Square is serious." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has