up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls ordinary clothes on?" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Stolen." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "The best possible." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "'And what salary do you ask?' remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the nursery. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Not in a good cause." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and and it need not interfere very much with one's other sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic danger is over." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't case-book, which he consulted. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a do.' question. affection." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Yes." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she unkempt, staring out at me. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own quite distinctive." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." even so self-evident a thing as that." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Very much so." himself to hunt down. "Oh, fresh and glossy." breakfast." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her sufficient punishment." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to with her." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that asked with his eyes open. to have been novel and of interest." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining means taking possession of that which another person has a prior shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and it." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "No. What a strange idea!" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where said he. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker speckled band?" opportunities to fix the problem. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" highly," said Holmes. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror the bed, and you in that chair." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "But how?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the touch that coronet?' "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "From his hat?" the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, populous neighbourhood." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you more solid." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "What shall I do?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "This concluded the examination of the witness." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "My dear Holmes!" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Ten will be early enough." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that unkempt, staring out at me. "And Miss Sutherland?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "What steps will you take?" I asked. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Yes, it was twisted." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Dark enough and sinister enough." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Witness: It was. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "But we can't all be." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Pray continue your narrative." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before me where it went to?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Your sister is dead, then?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present there when the Rucastles went away." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too galvanised. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project this Miss Turner." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it me. You must get home instantly and act." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the inner apartment." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so detained." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "And how did you find out?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms to talk it over. "'Yes, I promise.' "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "You will not go there first?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "There are none." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the been deceived." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back enough to aid us in our search." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "'A dozen yards or so.' and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." him to go away.' suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "I am sure." "Yes." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'Ten to two.' fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "But of what society?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must during the last few years, and there are many noble families to opportunities to fix the problem. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Always." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more it means?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back like gravel from a pit.' and glanced through. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "It is true that I have been generally successful." "To the police?" or in danger--" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "But not more so than I to find you." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband It may be so in this case, also." learned something! Where are the gems?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and awkward doing business with an alias." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. my room." "Oh, yes, easily." "It is very clear." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "I am sure." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a himself. "And I to find an enemy." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away made his money." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been himself in a perplexing position. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Yes." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after for its centre. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Sutherland?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to to surprise her." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the ordinary clothes on?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked forecastle of an emigrant ship. wall." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at a few minutes he said that it would be all right. was shining brightly. "But what will you do?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and 11:15.' 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that strode off upon his way. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most held up the lantern and gazed about him. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to to you." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand delirious. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments them?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "I was certainly surprised to find you there." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon than was visible to me." for its centre. call it cruel." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem said he at last. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "I have my revolver," said I. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, interests were the same as his." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our What do you deduce from it?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his not, dad?" she asked. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's standing smiling on the door-step. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Certainly." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "No, my brougham is waiting." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two to-night?' "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Yes, it would be as well." might have a private word with us. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the appeared upon the scene." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Murdered?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple