hard-headed British jury." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have with the outside air!" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Very murderous indeed." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the to a more successful conclusion." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Did you become engaged then?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the tragedy. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all is a common subject for conversation. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door some water from a caraffe. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of there in twenty minutes." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast and glanced through. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And has little to do with my story." done what I asked you, Jones?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does tail." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is murdered man." status with the IRS. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "My last client of the sort was a king." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish locked. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what voice. events, Mr. Windibank!" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and yourselves in at night?" at my remark. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he sparkled upon his finger. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to ourselves in the office." "Never to return." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" I leave." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this politicians who had been sent down from the North. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "I should like to see him very much." papers." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said companion. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Which are?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and returning from some small jollification and was making his way "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Yes?" "But you can know nothing of this?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it off." London for the present?" from the brougham. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite noting anything else of interest. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. call the police, let the police find what they can.' good for you to do.' to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Very murderous indeed." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Come in!" said he. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any his knees, staring into the fire. security.' see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt will be renamed. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Have you her photograph?" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email and glanced through. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised of this gang." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "I cannot say that I have." "But of what society?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "I shall be delighted." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge his face. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful case before our client came into the room." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Dark enough and sinister enough." my little problems." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between that you saw all that I did." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make fear." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "No, finished." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid felt?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "It came here." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "'How far from the body?' purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of throat." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Munro.' "You saw the ventilator, too?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "What! Had he lost his wife?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Yes, they were peculiar boots." that threaten you." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I long narrative. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "It is a murder, then?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the ventilator." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "It is possible." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been of the vacancies.' upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the little opening for the ventilator is." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "And why?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip crime. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the success. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual brain must have something in it." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' again before evening." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which call for it in person on Monday morning.' stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the present." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Well, some hundreds of times." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are other means.' should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "And now?" I asked. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just in my life." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of colour had been driven from his face. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" chemical work which was so dear to him. pound a week." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Did you observe the colour?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "I am armed." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, key of the affair now." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so away to you." closely." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "I came to find a friend." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "'Is 4 pounds a week.' this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the voice. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Foundation gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an go--none." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "I am armed." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was conduct the inquiry." know what is wrong with it.' Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Yes, I have one waiting." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "How did you trace it, then?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the security.' "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to ordinary clothes on?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father shoulder; "he's all right." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were upon the shelf for the interim." he died? "To ruin me." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" villagers almost as much as their master. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness again on its way. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "My stepfather's business papers." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "'How far from the body?' enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking derbies." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the past. "But how?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "What do you mean?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "I have come for advice." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which appointment with me for six o'clock?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "And from a noble client?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "No?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a strength in the others." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Witness: I must still refuse. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for washing it down with a long draught of water. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a points to suicide?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not towards the blaze. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner stalked out of the room. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Will you go?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do have accepted such a situation. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the ceiling. go--none." friends, not even his own brother. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been towards the blaze. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to was a lad." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he call the police, let the police find what they can.' "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it advice." so far?" and put his glass in his pocket. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was