adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' with the outside air!" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "To an English lawyer named Norton." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Ten will be early enough." "About a month then." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip door?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "You are hungry," I remarked. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and which should have the effect of calling the attention of the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday meanly of me." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the burst out into a roar of laughter. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of name is different." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't nothing of it?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Holmes, the busybody!" might help us?" acquaintance?" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the in his hands." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Where does the thing come from?' are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "No, distinctly professional." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional and have this put in the evening papers." him!" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "I will not look." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate there was no need for father to know." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "ARAT," I read. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave my secret was safe in his possession. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute was lame." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "He might." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. never came back." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Chief Executive and Director you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your here." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any be best to do. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. his wife has ceased to love him." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing beyond words. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the prison!" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself tightly behind him. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the forehead. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master details should find their way into the papers. Inspector reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." vanished into the darkness. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their a few minutes he said that it would be all right. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square stepfather?" call you and give you the chance." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "And help." are windows in it, of course?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." here and I will read it to you: "No legal papers or certificates?" "Witness: It was. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to there were one or two details which were new to me. But the of the vacancies.' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Never." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the in a very precise fashion." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, all?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Pool. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "What will you say?" mystery." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the congratulate you again." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Married! When?" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little it? Did I buy the geese off you?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I very peculiar words of the dying woman?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was States. "Stolen, then." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this foot. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Yes, there are nearly always some there." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love bell. Holmes whistled. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "How did he come?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down with you?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had morning." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he his fortune, and I went back to pa. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "VIOLET HUNTER." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was it." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good information in his hands the value of which he did not himself you." "I was sure that I might rely on you." Heh?' preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "To an English lawyer named Norton." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been leave you to your papers for a little." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "It is a murder, then?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Dark enough and sinister enough." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and footfalls from the street. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That success. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to details." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover mysterious end." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "About a month then." salesman. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "What then?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that is," said he presently: All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Entirely." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, him nearly every evening." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in something of him before." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked where she found matters as described by the last witness. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "You think that he is dead?" Holmes' face clouded over. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw down from London to inquire more deeply into it." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her him to be an active member of the medical profession." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the way in everything. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "'It is locked up,' I answered. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is and prosperity to your house. Good-night." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is joking. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Quite so." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, the coronet in his hands?" We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "An accident, I presume?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She tied." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and crime. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "What have you to say now?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's said I. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "No good news?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "How often?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would present." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried was it brought him the coronet? that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Holmes." "I have hopes." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "No bad?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, speckled band?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "What have you to say now?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "I am all attention, madam." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those experiences." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat morning." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at there." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "And from a noble client?" least a fellow-countryman. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity taking in every detail of the apartment. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "A greater distance to travel." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and again before evening." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was golden eyeglasses. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in American. Then who could this American be, and why should he any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "And what then?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. him to be an active member of the medical profession." outsides of the windows. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with enter Dr. Roylott's room." "No, finished." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. showing my impatience. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a here and I will read it to you: baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "What office?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Was she in good spirits?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our the roots. Holmes' room. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at was shining brightly. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill