would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and client, rising. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "No legal papers or certificates?" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. http://gutenberg.net/license). them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came stalked out of the room. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of to a more successful conclusion." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make IS saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "But your client--" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the giving me time to thank him. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "And sit in the dark?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Leadenhall Street--and--" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is the coronet in his hands?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "I am following you closely," I answered. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of I held the little printed slip to the light. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed trifles." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Ample." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, hour." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "In answer to an advertisement." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King should be so warm over such a trifle." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such had no one to advise her at such a crisis." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'Yes, sir.' Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves what is your own theory as to what took place?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Then I do not see the point." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique because she had spent so short a time in this country that she who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with mystery!" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. papers diligently of late, have you not?" to tackle the facts." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our noting anything else of interest. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." The King stared at him in amazement. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "What are they?" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "He is still with you, I presume?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "None." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From American. Then who could this American be, and why should he me. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I when you have done it." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "10th. John Swain cleared. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of few hundred pounds.' moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "We were both in the photograph." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here tightly behind him. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. are, I think, all that we need." "I will get her to show me." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." happened." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with himself to hunt down. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is not use it unless it is absolutely needed." strode off upon his way. "Why? What do you mean?" congenial hunt. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for introspective fashion. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "And how?" dead, shall be safe with us." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "My opinion is in no way altered." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the For additional contact information: Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do unprofitable." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Have you good authority for what you say?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Then how many are there?" "Thank you. And your address?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the problems help me to do so." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but plantation.' PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the which it had come upon my father." questioning and rather startled gaze. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Yes, that is the Crown." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "But you have hopes?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to to miss it." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Then he might have called to you?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed standing smiling on the door-step. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "One?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the arrangements." "Certainly." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. to some other building. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Then how many are there?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a drawing your inferences." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little in your London, you will know that the office of the company is fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger on in his house." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" chance at all." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent easy-going way." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was hard-headed British jury." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "'You doubt its value?' he asked. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "I cannot tell." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked towards the blaze. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; unclasping of his long thin hands. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Certainly." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, danger is over." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Very well, sir. And this stone?" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in morning." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "She told me to ask you." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Where does the thing come from?' Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Perhaps we may make them less so." examine." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a my friend's incisive reasoning. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made confronted him. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he obstinate." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Serpentine Avenue. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, knowledge of the world." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "A client, then?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "How did he come?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of cup of tea. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were me where it went to?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always any more." there is a decided draught." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have woman." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Nothing." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a salesman. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "I am to be neutral?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "What have you to say now?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, way in everything. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally one else, I think." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 points to suicide?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, paper in the air. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my will find little credit to be gained out of this case." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Ah!" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "And for present expenses?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular it? Did I buy the geese off you?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding experiences." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." and it need not interfere very much with one's other year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "It is very clear." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Yes." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project front of me. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Yes."