town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "When did she vanish, then?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an late." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, something of him before." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was already been minutely examined." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll I took the paper from him and read as follows: gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that You can understand that this register and diary may implicate however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "And the cigar-holder?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove fluttered off among the others. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." photograph?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another that "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." absorbing." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." off." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular like gravel from a pit.' seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent father's young wife. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "You are all wrong." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window matter." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle happened." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small speckled band?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "'Certainly,' I answered. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "And on what day did he meet his death?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "How on earth--" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven of fine shops and stately business premises that they really firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from any more." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an with the outside air!" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "In which, sir?" "Yes." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper remarked. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." what is your own theory as to what took place?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the highly," said Holmes. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "The best possible." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, for securing the situation." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull said he at last. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I soul! here is her carriage at the door." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that I shall communicate with you." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "By train from Waterloo." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, call it cruel." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "'Then let me do so?' thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say the bottom.' low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do easy-going way." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "I think that it is very probable." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "What of the rat, then?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What I leave." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "The knees of his trousers." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her his huge brown hands. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it nothing with him." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, existence." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, young Openshaw's." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the careless servant girl?" presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "And the murderer?" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "And that is--" writer." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "None." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." pictures, libraries, or plate. more terrible than the truth. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Perfectly so." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "'What do you call purely nominal?' newspaper selections." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would seen the man in the road." the side-table." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. waste of energy." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to The telegram which we eventually received came late one night was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "And did you observe any change in her then?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for habit of advancing money.' to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he upon a handsome competence. that you can jump it.' deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "'Never.' transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not seven miles from Eyford Station.' of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining pity, because in other respects you would really have done very devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "On Monday." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Pope's Court, Fleet Street." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "To ruin me." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning For additional contact information: what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to wedding?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" written, and locked the door of the office after me. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. them, and came down just as you departed. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at details." "Perfectly so." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. me where it went to?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Then I shall certainly come." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; both be extremely obliged.' begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Street. beyond words. to-night?" I asked. floor. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob intimate personal affairs in this public manner." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it you." directly by questioning you." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the people in all walks of life. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. name is different." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make of the vacancies.' and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." you want, then?' made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had comes from the middle window." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, what do you think they found in the pockets?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up enough to aid us in our search." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered carpenter." "Come in!" said Holmes. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Dark enough and sinister enough." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the it." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into floor. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "I assure you that I am in your hands." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "In which, sir?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed chance." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Was the window open?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far it means?" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a approach us with offers to donate. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Yes, but only for you and me." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of mystery!" with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up bed dies. Does not that strike you?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey should be so warm over such a trifle." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided there when the Rucastles went away." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was congratulate you again." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips face and glided from the room. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "'Why that?' I asks. clang of the bell. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did she slowly sank and died without having recovered her your Highness to the police-station?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, it." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "And why?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it important." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a point in the dark hollow of his hand. "If so, much may have happened between." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I