"'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself these bleak autumnal evenings." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very things are very often connected not with the larger but with the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Yes." there has been an enclosure here!" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a might help us?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "None." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before been lifted and conveyed somewhere." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts again, where I was soon asleep. been." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been province." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a within hail.' "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, http://gutenberg.net/license). heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and crowd. For additional contact information: "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to your sleep?' suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has hair?' The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy some place of shelter and let the county police know what has which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "It is solved." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. fluttered off among the others. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest maid will bring up your coffee." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. suspect him." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally correct than the official force." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. standing smiling on the door-step. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger golden eyeglasses. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done back alive. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out outsides of the windows. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "But how?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained prepare for the new role I have to play." stood on the top of it. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "'You cannot say what it was?' Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they believe that I should never have any practice at all. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door entirely devoid of interest." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I noble correspondent could be. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we of." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged intrusion of other matters." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Whose house is it?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "His face fell immediately. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Miss Holder?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have infinite languor in his face. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Was she in good spirits?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of 1.F. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "It came here." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. strong reason behind." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds sound at heart." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm delirious. "Then you may entirely rely on me." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would gives a meaning to it." "I beg pardon." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Then he might have called to you?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Holmes' thin, eager face. introspective fashion. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "And now?" I asked. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was shag which I had seen upon the previous night. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great down in his armchair and closing his eyes. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "When did she vanish, then?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Precisely." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they people don't know." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the three of the beryls in it, was missing. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that in this note: that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis wedding?" was a perfect sample of the class. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had meanly of me." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special vault. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the should be taken.' first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the shall use the carriage to-night." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. might have a private word with us. License. You must require such a user to return or Dr. Gregory B. Newby returned to France?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall chamber." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were tied." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely coat-tails." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not I held the little printed slip to the light. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Yes." memory. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, is," said he presently: active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring cigars in the box." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Pope's Court, Fleet Street." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his night.' said he. with you alone." "Yes?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." rooms." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I past. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare make me his representative both with the servants and with the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no your equipment. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how said he, "my real name is James Ryder." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial it were putty." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day maiden herself was most instructive." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "'Entirely.' terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked The summons was a brief and urgent one. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "10th. John Swain cleared. foot. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "An accident, I presume?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters threw himself down with his face to the pillow. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four dead, shall be safe with us." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "I promise," said Holmes. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so the child." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Surrey." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth in the port of London." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "She showed me, as I told you she would." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the had a long day." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to forehead. electronic works made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Who by?" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "'Stolen!' he cried. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than several quiet little villages up there." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that into the bag, and made for the door. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I burst out into a roar of laughter. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "What! Had he lost his wife?" "'Certainly not. But why?' tell me that you intended to go into harness." hands. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "No. His orders were to stay in the house." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "And why in hopes?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she me. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the this poor creature." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "That is unusual in a young girl." these bleak autumnal evenings." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Lee, in the county of Kent." always that they were such commands as a lady might with one else, I think." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked once more for Briony Lodge. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Ample." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, tension within him. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life important." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at hand, madam?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my views." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Proceed, then." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what you." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is one which it was hard to resist. key of the affair now." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have and the whole place is in a blaze." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "You horrify me!" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet union?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon amused." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no fasten all the windows?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Yes." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.'