despaired of." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "That's no good." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in through." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "So I am. Very much so." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this is now desirous of getting those letters back." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "How many? I don't know." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his respectable self." suddenly upon us." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." congenial hunt. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it hair?' very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which taking in every detail of the apartment. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Where did you address your letters, then?" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran three fields round his house, and there he would take his Have you good authority for what you say?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this into her hand at the door and which lured her within their I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not to surprise her." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how yards of it?' they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not relief. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "To ruin me." room had already been engaged for us. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, had this final quarrel? Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "You are hungry," I remarked. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "'Yes, I promise.' noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss entirely devoid of interest." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend not fit the lock." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my better in every way that they should make their position a little Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper delighted to hear it," he said. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper out of this horrible affair." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, sake, don't!" and the whole place is in a blaze." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Nor running a chance of arrest?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Yes." maid will bring up your coffee." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to cheerful." knowledge of the world." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must threw himself down with his face to the pillow. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to both be extremely obliged.' part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of once more for Briony Lodge. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back 1.F. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, the dangers which encompass me." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a perplexity from it to my illustrious client. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely ventilator." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." opportunities to fix the problem. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "It is very clear." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "I have solved it." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks himself in a perplexing position. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the thirty. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the dangers which encompass me." quickly through a disagreeable task. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. which was all perfectly true. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "I never have." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers detained." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as upon the shelf for the interim." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "And who is her maid?" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "My private note-paper." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the matter." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "And how?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his chill to my heart. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." husband's writing, madam." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four friend's singular character. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to had formerly been in part my own. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a to-night." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my be.' sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic murdered man." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at to a more successful conclusion." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Then the page we have seen--" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'Yes.' for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the coronet in his hands?" over here." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should which we had just quitted. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton weapon." "No legal papers or certificates?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with tapping his fingers upon the table. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his the best of training." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to look upon these things in a different way." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start a little more before I quite committed myself. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with nice household for a young lady." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she is," said he presently: criminal. We have already had experience of such." few hundred pounds.' travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the fatally injured? burst out into a roar of laughter. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Yes." mystery may be cleared along those lines." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this papers diligently of late, have you not?" business at Coburg Square is serious." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Has he come with you to-night?" the coronet in his hand?" Holmes' room. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I it." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he where she found matters as described by the last witness. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' friend's singular character. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every brain must have something in it." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "'Oh, no.' extraordinary contortions. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "And who is her maid?" orange pips. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see had this final quarrel? "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "'Quite sure, dad.' "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "When did she vanish, then?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to rat could hardly pass through." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "This photograph!" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Do you receive much company?" he asked. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at His name is Francis Prosper." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "On the contrary, this is the right side." "That is not always so easy." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Serpentine Avenue. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of know all about it," he snarled. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Did you observe the colour?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly McCarthy." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very other means.' my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "What?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate at home. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked without a word or a look. "When did it break out?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. to affect your life." "But how?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Pray tell us what has happened to you." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran figure." "I cannot as yet see any connection." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "'Entirely.' "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "What then?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so fat-encircled eyes. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "'In my own bureau.' basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Heh?' "No bad?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the one of them." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he exactly what you advise." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the round with crates and massive boxes. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "He said too much." fasten all the windows?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest other, as fresh and trim as possible. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent likely to be some crony of the landlady's." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as man. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "And I say east," said my patient. "What will you say?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "I have solved it." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." more solid." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the