astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Was your sister dressed?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that have accepted such a situation. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful nights." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "I cannot tell." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how so far?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; matter." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. populous neighbourhood." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. been deceived." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the him. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office lectures into a series of tales." "Then how many are there?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have several quiet little villages up there." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, discontent upon his features. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "You have carte blanche." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's chance at all." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "My private note-paper." could go. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'As governess?' up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you seven miles from Eyford Station.' "But how?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary had picked up in the wood. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "That sounds a little paradoxical." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and asked. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had hardly wander." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Pool. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did hour?' one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my persecution?" did not hear it also.' "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Not yet." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss my little problems." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." there." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "That is not always so easy." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This looking up at the numbers of the houses." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: a few minutes he said that it would be all right. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. disappearance of the bride.'" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich tied." to surprise her." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge tear off another piece?' "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. good for you to do.' and effective." ourselves in the office." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what as he folded up the epistle. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. most interesting one." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "The landlord of the Alpha." not as remarkable as your advertisement." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. nothing with him." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "And that is--" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "What will you say?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Where, then, is my wife?" companion imperturbably. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "We were both in the photograph." which are rolled in Rotterdam." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "How do you know, then?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "I am to be neutral?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece derbies." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his golden eyeglasses. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We whereabouts. him nearly every evening." "You are all wrong." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that The telegram which we eventually received came late one night and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for front of the hall door has given its name to the place. might help us?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and several quiet little villages up there." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. call the police, let the police find what they can.' It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I handed it to him. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a most important business. It is probable that he will be away all awaited us upon the table. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just something of him before." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Quite so." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "'Never.' "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and third from London." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the away to you." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. arrangements." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of IS "I guessed as much." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. do.' river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if of the one which your family is now devouring." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was is a common subject for conversation. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should is," said he presently: set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, the very morning of the wedding." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "And your mother is alive?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, to-morrow." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the was used.' job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, guilty parties." them present such singular features as the strange train of "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly felt?" the devil!" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he him!" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any drawing your inferences." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I I nodded again. "'What, the red-headed man?' jewels which you have stolen?' firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, mystery!" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "To an end?" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it and the whole place is in a blaze." to-night." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. not fit the lock." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in away to you." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is interest. They are important, you understand, without being so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Yes." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, to-night's adventure." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Holmes. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the inquest, and which are worth considering." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of closing the door. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "An enemy?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Stolen, then." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was good-night and bustled off upon her way. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The papers diligently of late, have you not?" astonishment. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "You'll never persuade me to believe that." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. and effective." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips father's young wife. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "No, I am descending." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "What is it?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the hour." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as DISSOLVED. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been better grown goose." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other enter Dr. Roylott's room." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "But how will you look?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our prove to be little relation between the different incidents of alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the so-precious time, but come!' uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp drawing your inferences." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get business matters.' new duties?' customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster I nodded to show that I had heard. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all with some details as to your case." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can something of him before." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a closing the door. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Yes, only one." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very certainly not very gracious." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. soul! here is her carriage at the door." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do of his shoulders. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?"