seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "'And what are they worth?' I asked. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me the King without delay." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Will you bet, then?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to coat-tails." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in of the one which your family is now devouring." "I guessed as much." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated not come at once?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Come in!" said he. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." is a common subject for conversation. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the was not a bird to be seen there. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he never came back." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Eyford." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up went to the Alpha were town bred." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "But his left-handedness." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what there." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "What is it?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "How did that help you?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'Where could I find him?' too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," it right.' handed it to him. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to in his hands." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That over here." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "And you don't know his address?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "What, then?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which of fine shops and stately business premises that they really subject to the trademark license, especially commercial dramatic, in fact." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "What! a murderous attack?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Did your wife hear all this?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "How did he come?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm present strange and interesting features that it is no easy standing smiling on the door-step. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, advice." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do do.' "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "And on what day did he meet his death?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "And how have you succeeded?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort in a friendly supper." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I burst out into a roar of laughter. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "And when will you call?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may flock.' noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of conversation I have gathered that they have been married about cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which crackling voice. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake business in the City. She little knew what. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Do you go out much in society?" very morning of my second wedding." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen forehead. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." this remarkable episode. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "How about poison?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "You have carte blanche." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "A greater distance to travel." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "The King of Scandinavia." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "And how did you find out?" "Not I." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am envelope. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left was shining brightly. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow upon the shelf for the interim." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "'As governess?' possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some writers could invent nothing more crude." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he bears upon the case?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate have one." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Breckinridge is his name." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "But what is it you wish?" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Holmes. character. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "And I." "Your sister is dead, then?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Leadenhall Street--and--" in his power. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "VIOLET HUNTER." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "And your father? Did you tell him?" respectable self." to change my dress. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. into the bag, and made for the door. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "And how did he make his money?" and the whole place is in a blaze." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "My Mary? Impossible!" "Quite so." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "I cannot tell." "We were both in the photograph." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "'Yes, I promise.' was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which do." room?" happened." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of round and wave him away like that.' I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This business." highroad, where all traces were lost. Dr. Gregory B. Newby We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "But she could not love him." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner bill, which interests me deeply." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about points in connection with it which never have been, and probably awaited us upon the table. seem to you to be relevant or not." towards the blaze. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Ha! you find it so?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "It is very clear." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and pictures, libraries, or plate. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "What will you do, then?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand if she died from some sudden fright." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "'Never,' said I. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an about. at once, for I have only half an hour." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "But his left-handedness." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Have you good authority for what you say?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "The best possible." "Was your sister dressed?"