and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from ways of our fellow-men." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "I would give my fortune to have them back." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I should be immensely obliged to you." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "It is his hat." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "A greater distance to travel." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to unclasping of his long thin hands. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. presented more singular features than that which was associated swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was how narrow had been my escape. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "An enemy?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California the Assizes." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "'Ample.' introspective fashion. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, lectures into a series of tales." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and know what is wrong with it.' near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle we went to search for him, face downward in a little through." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad there were one or two details which were new to me. But the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." companion imperturbably. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet death." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through union?" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Texas, I think." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is several quiet little villages up there." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Where, then, is my wife?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, call the police, let the police find what they can.' charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had The telegram which we eventually received came late one night possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Watson," he said cordially. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the companion. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "I am armed." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the bed, and you in that chair." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and back to my heart. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "But not more so than I to find you." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of tension within him. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this you found me to-night--and running through the front room she am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but enter Dr. Roylott's room." and laid it on the table. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or returning from some small jollification and was making his way outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "And is that all?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, laugh and put his lips to my ear. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New 'please.'" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "'Tell me all about it,' said I. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn and inquire as to the address." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I vague figure huddled up in the darkness. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Very. But will he see it?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "And leave your case unfinished?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "'Ten to two.' "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, we went to search for him, face downward in a little Street. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, society." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "'What would be the hours?' I asked. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. you for a few hours?" "No, finished." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I strode off upon his way. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "But you can know nothing of this?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." it. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which stood on the top of it. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "But it has twice been burgled." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two prison!" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "What will you do, then?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. detained." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed returning from some small jollification and was making his way my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Of what?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness taking in every detail of the apartment. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and villagers almost as much as their master. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. wedding?" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I assure you that I am in your hands." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "It looks newer than the other things?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "A call for help, you thought?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words sufficient punishment." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Do you know him?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "And leave your case unfinished?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "And why?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" were unconscious?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "No more words. Get out!" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the know all about it," he snarled. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from wall." hardly wander." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith lumber-room." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Well, some hundreds of times." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry suggested at once that there must be a communication between the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but indiscretion." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "How did you trace it, then?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for beyond words. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to child?' "His face fell immediately. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so closely." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" to Leatherhead. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "'In my own bureau.' "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became strange features which were associated with the two crimes which for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." asked with his eyes open. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after have had none more fantastic than this." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Not him." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "'About the same.' public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Of what?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' envelope. again." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Chief Executive and Director "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down envelope. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in made him keep the appointment." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize noble correspondent could be. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I that you saw all that I did." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "'Quite sure, dad.' lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. populous neighbourhood." some city in a dream. morning." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An side. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was you for a few hours?" spare." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "You horrify me." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me father's young wife. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband upon an income of about 60 pounds." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Witness: It was. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of once more to my work. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Dr. Gregory B. Newby quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable newspaper selections." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from during that time.' shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. brandy and water within his reach. think that any burglar could have done. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "I don't say that. Perhaps." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible