before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up taking in every detail of the apartment. lost nothing by them." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave exactly what you advise." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge four million human beings all jostling each other within the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free enter into my head. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the leaning back in his chair. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her business." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway frequently gained my first real insight into the character of loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "In which, sir?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, joking. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Thank you. Pray proceed." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his indeed happy." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "My stepfather's business papers." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat opened a pocket-book and took out a note. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and forebodings. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Where did he live, then?" upon a handsome competence. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers direction." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Not I." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH to change my dress. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "No?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then yourselves in at night?" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the village inn over there?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm shag which I had seen upon the previous night. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Oh, yes, easily." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated evidence," I remarked. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "What do you mean?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "I have hopes." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, I shall communicate with you." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Yes, they were peculiar boots." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, hand, madam?" to tackle the facts." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether of Mr. Rucastle's." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be if only as a check to my own memory." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. shoulder; "he's all right." the south-west, I see." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "'Where could I find him?' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Was your sister dressed?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Your presence might be invaluable." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Well." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or charge against him will break down." the nursery. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "In San Francisco, a year ago." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained nothing of it?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his have had none more fantastic than this." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the way in everything. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a back into the street. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who then?" "And is that all?" "He might." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Yesterday." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Pray let us have it, for all that." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this matter." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "'Ample.' "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question me where it went to?" said I. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "A client, then?" meant it for the best. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not later, upon the night of May 2nd." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'Oh, no.' the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "But she could not love him." father's young wife. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he galvanised. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and ventilator." "Not in a good cause." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, province." "You are all wrong." "'Yes.' the bed, and you in that chair." "Have you her photograph?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some presume?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Very. But will he see it?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "In heaven's name, what for?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. you." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Oh, yes, easily." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but tassel actually lying upon the pillow. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should your own bird, so if you wish--" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple the one as in the other." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "But to whom?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be photograph?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "In answer to an advertisement." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'I have heard so.' play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can from you?" so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" she might be summoned. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, forebodings. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come breakfast and whispered something to her husband. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for the matter?" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had mystery may be cleared along those lines." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Dr. Becher's." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting as yours." miles off. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, giving me time to thank him. "But not more so than I to find you." laugh and put his lips to my ear. "And you thought he was pulled back?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of forehead. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that character. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting power." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of already been minutely examined." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "What steps will you take?" I asked. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "And your mother is alive?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "And is that all?" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "If so, much may have happened between." through." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "That is it on the dressing-table." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On or in danger--" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "You have carte blanche." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, British peeress.'" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such our word." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy off." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal was a loud and authoritative tap. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and go from here to the Strand." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "At what time?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, think that any burglar could have done. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the discontent upon his features. chambers. heavily into it. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Always." the ceiling. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the me have 200 pounds?' for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which with you alone." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." kindly on the shoulder. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you might have a private word with us. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' her also." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned down from London to inquire more deeply into it." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his