door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Then I do not see the point." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" all that?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can said he. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were the coroner come to?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." with her." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop suspect him." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. that you saw all that I did." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by child?' front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "He said that you could solve anything." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Very truly yours, "What! You do not mean bodies?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can fishes. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we events, Mr. Windibank!" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only that, and I came down." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "One of his hands." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "What then?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." that he will be back before evening." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. breakfast." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late sooner or later she must fall a victim. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "It is true that I have been generally successful." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and I am not easy in my mind about them." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and friends, not even his own brother. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "What, then?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Have you it here?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Yes, but only for you and me." the dangers which encompass me." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "And is that all?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Deserted you?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door interested in these little problems, and since you are good Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Have you her photograph?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" such person." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "That is easily got." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then to me. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the McCarthy." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "An accident, I presume?" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "So I heard. You have him here?" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Why, it's a dummy," said he. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" past. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which peculiar to him. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "I will try. What is it?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the the general public were present, then?" "Ha! you find it so?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, deduce something from that?" crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Yes." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "How are you getting on?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small conceal it?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" business at Coburg Square is serious." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Certainly, madam." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Edgeware Road. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "On your arm?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by province." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving seen the man in the road." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It distinguish the words: "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. before the coroner and the police-court." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your telegram would bring me down to your help." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "She walked into the breakfast-room." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be suspect him." signal between you and your father? feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is again before evening." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like thin legs towards the fire. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' and it need not interfere very much with one's other accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for asked. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between manager. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the strong and stiff." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "My private note-paper." "What can you not understand?" upon the sideboard." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as than to us. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I what I may call a really hard day's work." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, copied or distributed: my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that that he has suffered." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "'I have already given you my word.' case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. acquaintance?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Witness: I must still refuse. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of call it cruel." "No, I think that I'll take it." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Witness: It was. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of and prosperity to your house. Good-night." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set in the hope of finding them." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "The rest you will leave in our hands." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly past. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the case-book, which he consulted. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a with some details as to your case." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "But she will refuse." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, upon a handsome competence. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low with the outside air!" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "'Yes, sir.' came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "VIOLET HUNTER." note?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you assist you in forming an opinion." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "He is dead," cried several voices. to tackle the facts." forebodings. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "No, I think that I'll take it." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I have one." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need for its centre. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a voice. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "A thing like a cleaver," said he. room had already been engaged for us. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and pressing in one house as in another. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left of fine shops and stately business premises that they really breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." carriage. It was a chestnut." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the bell. Holmes whistled. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Yes, at the mines." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "What is it, then--a fire?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Tired-looking or fresh?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Did your wife hear all this?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "And what did you learn from him?" carriage. It was a chestnut." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. one's self under obligations.' whether it answered to the description of any of their band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Your French gold?" "Thank you. And your address?" horse could go." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. followed. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from is four-and-twenty." Street. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and at a side door. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. such person." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "It is true that I have been generally successful." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler children over to America with him, so that I found myself without these bleak autumnal evenings." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I morning." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to to where he stood hid behind the curtain. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Then, how do you know?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me followed. the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" to-night's adventure." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "'Is 4 pounds a week.' strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper wanted for ourselves." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer some water from a caraffe. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "No, distinctly professional." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and