realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one and inquire as to the address." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "'Never.' what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as your equipment. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Sutherland. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for newspaper selections." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these you want, then?' not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself union?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "The best possible." "And what then?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "'Then let me do so?' "It is half-past ten now." him to go away.' bonnet, and went out." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the business." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & quick march!" are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "'I shall certainly be there.' "Then you may entirely rely on me." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "But what harm can there be in that?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This seem to you to be relevant or not." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: lids now and glanced across at his visitor. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the happened." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the his grey eyes. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Not I." success. "Yes. He waved his hands." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Entirely." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl DISSOLVED. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Miss Holder?" events, Mr. Windibank!" "I was afraid that you were engaged." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "I have seen the police." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get garden below. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know you came in." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out fled together." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported foresight and the moral retrogression?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "How did you deduce the select?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I cannot say that I have." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "No legal papers or certificates?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss gives a meaning to it." clang of the bell. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when room. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by very peculiar words of the dying woman?" cause to be." better grown goose." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Precisely." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his and your relations to her." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Chief Executive and Director of it with the greatest attention. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just it." Count Von Kramm." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Very well, sir. And this stone?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "An accident, I presume?" I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case past. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "We have tried and failed." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a security.' Miss Holder?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Not social, then?" hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door License. You must require such a user to return or "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Very. But will he see it?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an which I could not give. He asked for Alice. happened." grasp, he hurried from the room. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very my former friend and companion. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in less than 26s. 4d. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety II. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "'Very good.' attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, laugh and put his lips to my ear. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year weighed down with some great anxiety. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my I think that I could be of assistance to you." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save awaited us upon the table. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police again before evening." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "'I have already given you my word.' the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter these bleak autumnal evenings." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Not in a good cause." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "No, thank goodness, she did not." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one was already answered. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." secret." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "None." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "You don't mind breaking the law?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. and the whole place is in a blaze." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to digesting their breakfasts at home." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "But how could you guess what the motive was?" violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off during the last few years, and there are many noble families to The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "'What are you doing there?' he asked. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not II. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I am in hopes that she does." charge against him will break down." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, he bowed and left the room without another word. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "You have it, sir, just as it happened." more solid." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another during which he might have communicated with his friend the paper in the air. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation room?" is," said he presently: Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" him. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "You saw the ventilator, too?" "'Stolen!' he cried. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Eyford at 11:15.' test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate weighed down with some great anxiety. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "My opinion is in no way altered." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great flock.' could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. voice. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes noting anything else of interest. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the opened the door, and slipped through. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to cost them two and thirty pounds." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of tell me that you intended to go into harness." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He get the tickets." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I During two years I have had three consultations and one small his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." chance." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few shall use the carriage to-night." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. drawing your inferences." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a written, and locked the door of the office after me. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his south, for the country is more deserted there." "Your presence might be invaluable." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle if only as a check to my own memory." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he made him keep the appointment." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "But how?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "You forget that I know nothing about it." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Yes, they were peculiar boots." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "'Never,' said I. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring works. See paragraph 1.E below. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for which should have the effect of calling the attention of the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and walking." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not likely to be some crony of the landlady's." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Perhaps I have." with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger man. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have quick march!" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a The events in question occurred in the early days of my "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Why did you beat the pavement?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them believe that I should never have any practice at all. clanging. wedding?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double lost his Christmas dinner." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Yes." second." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "BALLARAT." bell. Holmes whistled. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Bought." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "So I have heard." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up fasten all the windows?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a which was all perfectly true. new acquaintance to Baker Street. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual