paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' three fields round his house, and there he would take his begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Yes." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Yes, only one." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "'Tell me all about it,' said I. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to them?" answer." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with child?' "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the them present such singular features as the strange train of be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." of receipt of the work. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this could not account in any way for the presence of the missing anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he vault. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few roused himself from his reverie. and all of them with the keenest interest. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to see a sister of mine apply for." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "What will you say?" photograph a cabinet?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** chair. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "My dear Holmes!" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "To ruin me." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, will not take me long to tell. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he at my remark. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it ways of our fellow-men." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The like that before?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of down in his armchair and closing his eyes. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The shoulder. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Then the page we have seen--" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. and have this put in the evening papers." leaning back in his chair. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many cost them two and thirty pounds." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "I think that I had better go, Holmes." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her who was a member of your goose club." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "He said too much." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny bachelor.' the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" leaning back in his chair. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. infinite languor in his face. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the corner of the building. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a his huge brown hands. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case waste of energy." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there their singular warning or token before them when starting upon any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Dark enough and sinister enough." had this final quarrel? "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Yesterday." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I never to learn it at all." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that in the port of London." "No." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "No, thank goodness, she did not." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and outside." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found points to suicide?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "What can it mean?" I gasped. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism father's place of business?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and some city in a dream. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I read over the extraordinary announcement. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? examine." what is your own theory as to what took place?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a horse could go." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George more terrible than the truth. writing, and yet I know it well." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Yes, the wine-cellar." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. do you make of it all?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." The summons was a brief and urgent one. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found peculiar to him. "And help." "Certainly." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." do.' very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my locked. it means?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "What, then?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil for the market.' direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was own family. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Married! When?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the side-table." notes," he said. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her of note-paper. It read in this fashion: met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Then how many are there?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "This concluded the examination of the witness." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and little adventures." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "So it appears." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "He slept on the premises." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Get out!" said he. "I cannot tell." in this note: so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Then what has happened to him?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a to some other building. "How on earth--" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "And why?" villagers almost as much as their master. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." the Red-headed League." "I have seen the police." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in I am not easy in my mind about them." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Yes, I have one waiting." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set morning." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he be best to do. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that grasp, he hurried from the room. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: yourselves in at night?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I it." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "'Yes, sir.' Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Is he quiet?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention wall." "At what time?" think, you have already met." "Precisely." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Has he come with you to-night?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship written. behind me. man. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "What is it, then--a fire?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "You heard nothing yourself last night?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her hour." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is business." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your long narrative. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the side-table." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded breakfast?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in to Leatherhead. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to it were putty." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "By no means." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and in a friendly supper." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The woman who has had her own way to make in the world. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Mary, has deserted me." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the touch that coronet?' outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning matter." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and man. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days fire. You quite follow me?" pound a week." "At the wedding breakfast." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from unkempt, staring out at me. thirty. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "It was an hour's good drive." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to to-night?" I asked. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on was a loud and authoritative tap. Count Von Kramm." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat long narrative. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "No, my brougham is waiting." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." passage and a tap at the door. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from to-night?' since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Imitated." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up distance from the station, and there we found the young lady creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "None." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of had this final quarrel? seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. face and glided from the room. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him