depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "And why?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. prison!" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "I am sure." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "How did you deduce the select?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in in him." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Only as much as we can deduce." orange pips. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." wall." me upon any point which I do not make clear." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. lips." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, bearing upon the case." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "We were both in the photograph." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates other, as fresh and trim as possible. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must go back?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" charged with?" appeal." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his characteristics, but those are the more obvious." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "That was it, sir." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went to have that photograph." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite it means?" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Yes, sir." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "But you can know nothing of this?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'What, the red-headed man?' the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and papers diligently of late, have you not?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he address. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life ran thus: you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found them?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. weighed down with some great anxiety. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. where she found matters as described by the last witness. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very charge against him will break down." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major me what he had done with the three missing stones. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New whether it answered to the description of any of their something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Yes." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY said I. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "'Never.' which are rolled in Rotterdam." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark shaken than I had ever seen him. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining bonnet, and went out." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." and looked back. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out 11:15.' "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Certainly." shoulder. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His in this way: which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair business in the City. She little knew what. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square yet." round and wave him away like that.' ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "What will you do, then?" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and gone. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has my former friend and companion. Serpentine Avenue. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. bled considerably." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates night.' said he. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich arrested. You then--" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. companion. your equipment. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this everything which you would wish to know." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which you." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Murdered?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Nothing?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "And now?" I asked. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. amused." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and happened." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "'Most admirably.' case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Your presence might be invaluable." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "No legal papers or certificates?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "No good news?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered opened the door, and slipped through. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "'Ten to two.' pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the furiously. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which views." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet works. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "May I see it?" "So I heard. You have him here?" writer." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Watson," he said cordially. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Always." mysterious business." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about cigar and let me expound." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while sparkled upon his finger. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" awaited us upon the table. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has trying to your nerves." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid you want, then?' "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one retorted upon me, and I on you." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in would apply.' police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first locked. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "About a month then." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were suspect him." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "He is still with you, I presume?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in returned to France?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we it means?" was a loud and authoritative tap. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was sofa. This way, please!" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "But his lameness?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "But what is it you wish?" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed never came back." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" if she died from some sudden fright." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I and I shall be with you presently." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped whatever might befall. fait accompli?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I cannot imagine." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "And what then?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "That sounds a little paradoxical." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he It was close upon four before the door opened, and a preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end to change my dress. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Sutherland?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in what do you think they found in the pockets?" will not take me long to tell. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "And your father? Did you tell him?" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce triumphant cloud from his cigarette. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what photograph a cabinet?" I approached. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing