"Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "I promise," said Holmes. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Yes." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her to-morrow." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we know all about it," he snarled. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am open." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him official police." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my not, dad?" she asked. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more down from London to inquire more deeply into it." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it wife's character?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently in him." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. friends, not even his own brother. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "None." direction." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." about. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." London for the present?" fatally injured? the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Whose house is it?" "None." waste of energy." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a points to suicide?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "And I." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "I fear not." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect that?' much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little dear old homesteads?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. meant it for the best. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, telegram would bring me down to your help." is now desirous of getting those letters back." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all how narrow had been my escape. "My opinion is in no way altered." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as man. I know him from the photograph." his wife has ceased to love him." Holmes' thin, eager face. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock what I may call a really hard day's work." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, disappearance of these gems?" "Well?" "Dr. Becher's." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some weary and pale-looking. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City client, rising. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because point in the dark hollow of his hand. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" place of silver." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. unclasping of his long thin hands. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "The Cedars?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole signal between you and your father? this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "'And what are they worth?' I asked. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed strong and stiff." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "How often?" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even directly by questioning you." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "ARAT," I read. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, been with you?" "What! a murderous attack?" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if lumber-room." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "But she could not love him." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." them?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of written. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his questioning and rather startled gaze. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most some water from a caraffe. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, yourselves in at night?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "And Miss Sutherland?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. narrative." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he possible that we could bring him back to her? the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "'Tell me all about it,' said I. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" corner of the building. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was to take care of herself." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker conceal it?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "A confidential servant?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for voice. exactly what you advise." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that said he. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I with you?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a you came in." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my him!" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the main points of my analysis." page at http://pglaf.org "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "You don't mind breaking the law?" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "'What, the red-headed man?' age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "I cannot say that I have." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he a good hundred miles off by now." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was along the entire front of the house, with three long windows he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "But how?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about at a side door. excitement. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There to tackle the facts." "I don't say that. Perhaps." that I can to serve you." me upon any point which I do not make clear." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. nonsense.' behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There likely to be some crony of the landlady's." and have this put in the evening papers." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a tension within him. late!' yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, third from London." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Yes." several quiet little villages up there." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his directors, with the result that you have seen." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. experiences." Chief Executive and Director which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "And sit in the dark?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms papers on the sundial.'" "How often?" hurried away. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She when you have done it." "I am following you closely," I answered. "Here?" and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the carried out of court." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no crowd. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let morning." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a him!" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out my friend's incisive reasoning. sake, don't!" room had already been engaged for us. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He if she died from some sudden fright." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many third from London." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project ceremony." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign despair." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I cause to be." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small it were putty." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be are windows in it, of course?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Witness: Nothing definite. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, writing, and yet I know it well." "'What do you call purely nominal?' to-night?' somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "I am to be neutral?" arrested. You then--" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, occurred." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was retorted upon me, and I on you." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming behind me. of his shoulders. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing that he has suffered." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and will find little credit to be gained out of this case." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. ashen face. in my life." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not this Miss Turner." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "'And what are they worth?' I asked. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very do.' they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the bottom.' dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Then how many are there?" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it drawing your inferences." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, could go. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. the date of his supposed suicide." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day asked with his eyes open. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "You'll never persuade me to believe that." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be roused himself from his reverie. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in what is your own theory as to what took place?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You newspaper selections." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "So I heard. You have him here?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." at my own good fortune. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Stoke Moran." "The Coroner: What do you mean? more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "And I to find an enemy." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not