myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my this as likely?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of skylight. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to had a long day." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a and files of the old papers, following the future career of every envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "I will get her to show me." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of hands. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were John Swain, of St. Augustine. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "But it has twice been burgled." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. not fit the lock." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your would apply.' get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "But how?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some British peeress.'" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm prepare for the new role I have to play." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the leaning back in his chair. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police charged with?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I most interesting one." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She cigars in their mouths. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and direction." II. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the loss of it. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Have you it here?" true." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I than was visible to me." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new is," said he presently: "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Nothing." ceremony." have one." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "This concluded the examination of the witness." be best to do. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." walking." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "An accident, I presume?" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! know all about it," he snarled. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've opportunities to fix the problem. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, your most interesting statement." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, rose-bushes. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as copied or distributed: "Always." purpose of examination. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had excitement. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a wanted for ourselves." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "I cannot imagine." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may society." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project the stable lane now." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "That also I could fathom." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Will you go?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive tassel actually lying upon the pillow. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At The note was undated, and without either signature or address. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "What, then, did Peterson do?" "None." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he signal between you and your father? showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side galvanised. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Why, what do you mean?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to bill, which interests me deeply." Dr. Gregory B. Newby approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere subject to the trademark license, especially commercial in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to man. I know him from the photograph." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' horse could go." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have was lame." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a back to my heart. "There is the writing." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "I am armed." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "'Stolen!' he cried. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at his eyes and forehead. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Sutherland?" "Nothing?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Frequently." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have your co-operation." late." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in instituted." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "I will do it." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "No. What a strange idea!" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable of the efforts of the United States government and of the better broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper For additional contact information: from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should everything which you would wish to know." "And what did you see?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all deduce something from that?" "Not in a good cause." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Nothing." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and as the one I chose?' with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations train from Paddington which would bring you there at about occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Was he the only applicant?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." them present such singular features as the strange train of "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Yes, all." "Yes." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Does that suggest anything?" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened one's self under obligations.' my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you tell them apart.' The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "In the cells." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, kindly on the shoulder. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which garden below. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the nonsense.' deduce something from that?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend My friend smiled. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a affair. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Gutenberg-tm License. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and started for the Temple to see my husband. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most for its centre. "I am still in the dark." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he suspect him." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the death." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "'And the work?' world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three careless servant girl?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on during which he might have communicated with his friend the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to page at http://pglaf.org quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who quick march!" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." begun to whiten, even as mine has." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction than was visible to me." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "And the cigar-holder?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with behind me. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face begin with, and I had not got mine yet." IS "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "'Yes, it was gone.' anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "The gentleman I describe." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." in. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "'Ten to two.' hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "It is a murder, then?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these notes," he said. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Nothing?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a this unhappy family?" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps a room. make me his representative both with the servants and with the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "The doctor?" forbidden door. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open beg that you will break it off." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "'I have already given you my word.' a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "I have seen the police." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my orange pips. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and within hail.' affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though