"'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Perfectly so." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of he bowed and left the room without another word. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Pray do so." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Very. But will he see it?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her house for five minutes.' father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists most important business. It is probable that he will be away all bearing upon the case." as he folded up the epistle. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two enough to aid us in our search." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a examination of the premises, but without finding anything which furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? nights." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a his cane at the bell-pull. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal system of imprisonment?" be sorry for having acted so harshly." grasp, he hurried from the room. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached at my own good fortune. "'Yes, I promise.' him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots certainly do as you advise." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been village inn over there?" "We must have a cab." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, I was concerned in it." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words his face. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "It is to him that this trophy belongs." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I lids now and glanced across at his visitor. think that any burglar could have done. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the overpowering excitement and concern. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling least a most suspicious remark." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "No, distinctly professional." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my companion quietly. to-night?" I asked. the tragedy. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "And how did he make his money?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Mary, has deserted me." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. II. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might developed." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': open." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Entirely." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "I have a cab outside." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his vanished into the darkness. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "And how did you find out?" "Married! When?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the unprofitable." "And what did you see?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "No, but the enclosure is." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the lamp in his hand. the very morning of the wedding." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "In heaven's name, what for?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished other, as fresh and trim as possible. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a front of me. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare been anything against him. He had for years been known as a started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Yes." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so to have been novel and of interest." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "You have but to name it." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. purpose of examination. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "One of the highest in England." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. been with you?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his believe that I should never have any practice at all. Literary Archive Foundation mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Yes, he did." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by village inn over there?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are individual and becomes the badge of a society." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save sufficient punishment." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "'Oh, no.' "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Yes, sir." Clair, of Lee." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose if I call to-morrow?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the within hail.' clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "They are typewritten," I remarked. putting in the horse. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with telegram would bring me down to your help." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. conceal it?" which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible delirious. might help us?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer along the entire front of the house, with three long windows doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from and inquire as to the address." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever exactly what you advise." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few only touch the interest." is," said he presently: "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, you." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Of Friday, June 19th." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So His name is Francis Prosper." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" meanly of me." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though your co-operation." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Did you observe the colour?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some fait accompli?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of as yours." "It is possible." Literary Archive Foundation you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too three fields round his house, and there he would take his "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in outside." your co-operation." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for second window is the one that I jumped from." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "I cannot as yet see any connection." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I morning." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' bill, which interests me deeply." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "He might." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion conversation I have gathered that they have been married about evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "I am about to be married." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are not fit the lock." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side States. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Did your wife hear all this?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but his huge brown hands. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "How do you know, then?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "You have carte blanche." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Was your sister dressed?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the main points of my analysis." records." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "So I am. Very much so." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Was your sister dressed?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Why did you pick him?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "I cannot imagine." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." had a long day." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, know all about it," he snarled. here and I will read it to you: have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. passage and a tap at the door. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had which we had just quitted. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself was a perfect sample of the class. such attractions and accomplishments?' "How do you know, then?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the that I am arrested." "It must be recovered." "No, finished." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "And why?" flock.' On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "One?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "But he might be a bachelor." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just confronted him. she used." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of of campaign. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. I shall continue with my miserable story.