Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the His name is Francis Prosper." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "'Which dealer's?' a suggestive one." "But to whom?" society." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Yes." salesman. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my how narrow had been my escape. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that particular state visit http://pglaf.org Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from extraordinary contortions. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Not in a good cause." "An enemy?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "What! Had he lost his wife?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "But his lameness?" feature." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, than was visible to me." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and it with his own hands." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" drove away. Mary, has deserted me." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the to have been novel and of interest." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Why did you beat the pavement?" "What will you say?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' and capable of preserving a secret.' "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "'What then?' I asked. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon coroner's jury." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew straightened it out again. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love hour." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction there has been an enclosure here!" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." the best of training." the address that was given us in the advertisement. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where and I shall be with you presently." "That is possible." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name at once, for I have only half an hour." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "And how in the world did you find them?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Look there!" said he. "'You cannot say what it was?' Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "I warn you that they are very incomplete." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, true." "Whose house is it?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into down from London to inquire more deeply into it." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; three of the beryls in it, was missing. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Quite so. She has her freedom." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Here?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with in his power. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about during that time.' circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. I shall communicate with you." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Frequently." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the you for a few hours?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." is so. I know all about McCarthy." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. out." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, head. So long, then!" into the bag, and made for the door. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." to some other building. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of mysterious end." "I don't believe it." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if if she died from some sudden fright." the house with me." "You don't mind breaking the law?" was a perfect sample of the class. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Well, some hundreds of times." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "What will you say?" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Yes, from Horsham." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new fuss that is made over them." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Sutherland?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which me have 200 pounds?' happened." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "One of his hands." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon the date of his supposed suicide." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Which are?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is nothing with him." distinguish the words: hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a hopeless attempt at recovering them." must compliment you." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Awake, Watson?" he asked. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Have you good authority for what you say?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave ashen face. would then never go into court at all." the child." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "'Yes, sir.' to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Nothing?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" married her." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is them, and came down just as you departed. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Where to?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Again Holmes raved in the air. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "But what harm can there be in that?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I any." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Yes." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel that I am arrested." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had not interfere, come what may. You understand?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were You can understand that this register and diary may implicate swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Always." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "It was a confession," I ejaculated. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "How about poison?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed investigation." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss a good hundred miles off by now." "But you were on a friendly footing?" over here." "No sign of it?" dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the prepare for the new role I have to play." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Stolen, then." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and than to us. "Get out!" said he. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Did he not advertise?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land forehead. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "And how in the world did you find them?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary companion. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net dramatic, in fact." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "How often?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible three fields round his house, and there he would take his in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to long narrative. ourselves in the office." dead, shall be safe with us." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in them, and came down just as you departed. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Cross for the Continent." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Yes." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to hurried away. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which of his shoulders. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Just look it up, then." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates colour had been driven from his face. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my have established a very serious case against the son of the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "I am sure." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass bore every mark of being an average commonplace British again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as of Mr. Rucastle's." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Whose house is it?" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out a good hundred miles off by now." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Henry Baker is a member." directly by questioning you." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of villagers almost as much as their master. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in lost his Christmas dinner." "Well?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "The vanishing of the lady." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "What then?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Very much so." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable row." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon answer." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: questionable one." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending