anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "What will you say?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." wedding?" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She fish-monger and a tide-waiter." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Well, but China?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. too. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Entirely." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "How did you trace it, then?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. already referred to. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Leadenhall Street--and--" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "By no means." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Literary Archive Foundation name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Nearly eleven." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain of them has the shutters up.' sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." his knees, staring into the fire. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must any more." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." one which it was hard to resist. "That is not always so easy." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they other lovers by making love himself." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "'Which dealer's?' my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "I have seen the police." felt?" "That was it, sir." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the look upon these things in a different way." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself of them has the shutters up.' myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you did not hear it also.' "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then all?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "But she will refuse." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' imbecility!" he cried. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my envelope. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime plantation.' were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's least a fellow-countryman. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You nothing with him." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. your most interesting statement." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "I have come for advice." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. friends, not even his own brother. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I night.' said he. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Did you observe the colour?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "'How far from the body?' side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by tell him that I know him to be innocent." the Red-headed League." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest everything which you would wish to know." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him ceremony." "'I am sure if I had known--' give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Stoke Moran?" said he. "No." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with away into the river." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I this man was intellectual?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your hair?' front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it call for it in person on Monday morning.' "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "An accident, I presume?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She my little problems." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I answered that I had not. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then all that?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the round with crates and massive boxes. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake before, for it was considerably after midnight. "No, but the enclosure is." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Yes, the wine-cellar." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "I should be immensely obliged to you." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and within hail.' "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may power." fait accompli?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Where, then, is my wife?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, and the whole place is in a blaze." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this I have it here in my museum." "What?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Stoke Moran." "'In my own bureau.' 11:15.' shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "What is it?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom more terrible than the truth. The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the him to be an active member of the medical profession." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get became a certainty. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no purpose of examination. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you think that he is innocent?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." kindly on the shoulder. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in what these perils are?" Does that suggest anything?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we at once, for I have only half an hour." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon again." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the hard-headed British jury." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and my little problems." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "If I can be of use." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Yes, certainly." Have you good authority for what you say?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Where, indeed?" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "But you would not advise me to refuse?" would then never go into court at all." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and my little problems." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Then, as to money?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, and inquire as to the address." "That was it, sir." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, returning from some small jollification and was making his way "I have hopes." particular state visit http://pglaf.org road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "The Cedars?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a could not have written that. It is the German who is so disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "But of what society?" natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "One?" with the outside air!" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." giving me time to thank him. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be all-comprehensive glances. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come was used.' "That is easily got." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." your sleep?' the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest morning." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Well, but China?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his jewels which you have stolen?' "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. have an American origin." "Precisely." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "That is not always so easy." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked her also." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Certainly, madam." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't down. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a row." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the morning and make my own way in the world.' A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But stood on the top of it. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time second window is the one that I jumped from." "What, then, did Peterson do?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a know that the truth is known." colonel looking down at me. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if during which he might have communicated with his friend the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would be.' round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then people in all walks of life. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic and the whole place is in a blaze." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. crime." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great friend's singular character. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Mary, has deserted me." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular weighed down with some great anxiety. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Yes, but only for you and me." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when never will be, entirely cleared up. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the compunction about shooting them down." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a security.' your sleep?' during which he might have communicated with his friend the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Where, then?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "'Tell me all about it,' said I. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the child." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the Red-headed League." "I think that it is very probable." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it distinguish the words: "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of