Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to as the one I chose?' "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Stoke Moran." were unconscious?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with second window is the one that I jumped from." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the stones. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a yourselves in at night?" chemical work which was so dear to him. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Henry Baker is a member." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten had this final quarrel? troubles have been weighing upon his mind. it." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Then I am your man." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Your sister is dead, then?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Doctor, of the paper and the date." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is secret." again on its way. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" Again Holmes raved in the air. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. daring than any effort of the imagination." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on cigars in the box." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for feature." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and future lives." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "No, but the enclosure is." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after correct than the official force." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were there." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "'Oh, no.' whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look case before our client came into the room." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the was already answered. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it examination of the premises, but without finding anything which forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to over his head with a sweet womanly caress. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's or other trace. But how on earth--" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "What, then, did Peterson do?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It arrested. You then--" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and enough to aid us in our search." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, helping a boy to put up the shutters. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Eyford." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'Where to?' It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my meanly of me." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington late." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." awkward doing business with an alias." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken fat-encircled eyes. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Precisely." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Oh, fresh and glossy." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one hour?' it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "The Cedars?" "I was afraid that you were engaged." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' cost them two and thirty pounds." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that once more for Briony Lodge. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Very. But will he see it?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the devil!" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the residence of the great financier. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." followed. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new were unconscious?" washing it down with a long draught of water. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "A thing like a cleaver," said he. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "They are typewritten," I remarked. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden writers could invent nothing more crude." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy I think that I could be of assistance to you." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Yes, sir." "But we can't all be." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." indeed which he could not unravel. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." against a man in the prime of life?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a one of the states of the Union." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." I am not easy in my mind about them." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Surrey." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my go from here to the Strand." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "That's no good." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "9th. McCauley cleared. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Will you go?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from foot. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange him. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece true." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "But who is he?" a room. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing long narrative. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. that, and I came down." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less your bag." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Stoke Moran?" said he. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. your sleep?' nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "You know me, then?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Absolutely none." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "I will get her to show me." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the iron safe, which he closed upon it. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the stable lane now." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "It came here." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything the best of training." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Then I shall certainly come." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment You want to know what became of those geese?" that you can jump it.' quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Only as much as we can deduce." "That was it, sir." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Then I do not see the point." the inner apartment." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, for and were ordered to this address. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "I should wish to." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My fact, we may call it conclusive." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less that you can jump it.' the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "But you can know nothing of this?" in the port of London." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I your billet.' you, my dear young lady?' eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew soul! here is her carriage at the door." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "'Certainly not.' "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "It is no ordinary one." "Very much so." The King stared at him in amazement. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if never will be, entirely cleared up. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do thin legs towards the fire. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in sound at heart." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending his forehead." "And leave your case unfinished?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my copied or distributed: compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and DISSOLVED. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "What can it mean?" I gasped. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "No good news?" already been minutely examined." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Ah!" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took was keenly on my guard against him. the one as in the other." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I will, Miss Turner." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative ready to-morrow?' "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do