occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "One horse?" interjected Holmes. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "It is possible." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Certainly, madam." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "It is solved." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with eavesdroppers?' new duties?' Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing this unhappy family?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Then he might have called to you?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" is so. I know all about McCarthy." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy business." "No?" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: his forehead." security.' "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. forecastle of an emigrant ship. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." emerged. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there wedding?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his could not have written that. It is the German who is so We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "To an end?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He the coronet in his hand?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the night.' companion. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore rat could hardly pass through." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his very morning of my second wedding." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it your sleep?' "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "BALLARAT." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot chance." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a points in connection with it which never have been, and probably vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "If I can be of use." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I galvanised. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Pray do so." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "No legal papers or certificates?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Street. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Upon what point?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and indeed which he could not unravel. "On the contrary, this is the right side." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "That's no good." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for characteristics, but those are the more obvious." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note gone before you can get him to hospital." Sutherland. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was burst out into a roar of laughter. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my that?' other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she a good hundred miles off by now." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "It is very kind of you." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the http://gutenberg.net/license). "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this at my own good fortune. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Yes, sir." that he has suffered." strong reason behind." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six writing, and yet I know it well." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Yes, it would be as well." extraordinary contortions. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I opportunities to fix the problem. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "I shall be delighted." must be when I saw the door open.' wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch and glanced through. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Cross for the Continent." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "That is it on the dressing-table." "About a month then." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be noise which awoke you from your sleep?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The were new raised from a basin. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose the room while you explain this matter?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the instincts rose up against that laugh. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Yes. He waved his hands." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Did your wife hear all this?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Nearly eleven." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the know what is wrong with it.' knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "It is very kind of you." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed to arrive at through this?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those outside. tear off another piece?' and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with third from London." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside Henry Baker is a member." and no precautions can guard against." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his fish-monger and a tide-waiter." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "You don't mind breaking the law?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "At the wedding breakfast." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "But you were on a friendly footing?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive wedding?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "He disappeared so suddenly." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I it." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big from you?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "What can it mean?" I gasped. had a long day." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for strength." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and delirious. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Pray do so." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "No, thank goodness, she did not." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. sooner or later she must fall a victim. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened in him." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "What do you mean?" Surrey." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Literary Archive Foundation "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Indeed! Whose, then?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found and laid it on the table. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "One of the highest in England." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a go--none." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line me where it went to?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to to talk it over. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of my friend's incisive reasoning. His smile broadened. ways of our fellow-men." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was deduce something from that?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "I never have." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to the window, rose as we entered. "In heaven's name, what for?" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my was a lad." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "'A dozen yards or so.' so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his outbreak?" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "And from a noble client?" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of hurried by. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Proceed, then." that meanly of me." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Pope's Court. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "None." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught call you and give you the chance." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "It was a confession," I ejaculated. any more." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I there!' IS companion. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "'Yes, I promise.' servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "I will, Miss Turner." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "I will try. What is it?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without you in your example." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a about here speaks of his kindness to him." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "One of the highest in England." main points of my analysis." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening front of the hall door has given its name to the place. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, at my own good fortune. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting to a light-house. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is and shall probably return to London by the evening train." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal think that any burglar could have done. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been union?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most way in." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the ventilator." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was new duties?' grasp, he hurried from the room. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was