wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons up this clue while it is still hot." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. empty. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads that you can jump it.' three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then sparkled upon his finger. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear grasp, he hurried from the room. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "'Very good.' "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' them, and came down just as you departed. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. during that time.' "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than will take you up to see the machine.' kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "No." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "I was afraid that you were engaged." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence will he say when he returns?" as this. Pray let me have the details." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Nothing." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." success. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before both be extremely obliged.' "Ah, but I was recommended to you." morning." directors, with the result that you have seen." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Entirely." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he your co-operation." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' followed. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. as yours." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry and that he would see to anything that turned up. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Clair, of Lee." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Precisely." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." papers diligently of late, have you not?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of were wasted." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away and prosperity to your house. Good-night." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This key of the affair now." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not absorbing." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "And did you observe any change in her then?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that forecastle of an emigrant ship. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in seven miles from Eyford Station.' means taking possession of that which another person has a prior in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Again Holmes raved in the air. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. this remarkable episode. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote vanished into the darkness. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "He said that you could solve anything." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a not, dad?" she asked. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "The rest you will leave in our hands." cheerful." been." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It desk. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and four million human beings all jostling each other within the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is introspective fashion. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and before, for it was considerably after midnight. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little on re-entering her father's house?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some crime. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case as he folded up the epistle. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. something of him before." "Where is it, then?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Farm upon the left." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "That is possible." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well very morning of my second wedding." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. populous neighbourhood." ashen face. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Really! You surprise me." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, shaken than I had ever seen him. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to he bowed and left the room without another word. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Awake, Watson?" he asked. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "And how did you verify them?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional and glanced through. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "No sign of it?" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will of." of them has the shutters up.' of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you and put his glass in his pocket. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our footfalls from the street. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found he died? "But your client--" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Do you go out much in society?" is a common subject for conversation. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but bonnet, and went out." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could o'clock is it?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It train from Paddington which would bring you there at about inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the answered with a sidelong glance. "Then what has happened to him?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke posted to-day." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, are windows in it, of course?" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London best detective that ever lived. throat." of the one which your family is now devouring." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Well?" would then never go into court at all." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by get her out of the way." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "'Where to?' I took the paper from him and read as follows: which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. weary and pale-looking. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at that there was nothing in it, after all." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the are, I think, all that we need." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary appeal." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "No, my brougham is waiting." little trying to do so much typewriting?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was tear off another piece?' province." yet." to Leatherhead. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the 1.F. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor His name is Francis Prosper." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment like gravel from a pit.' hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." you." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of chair. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, attention." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Chief Executive and Director engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Yes, from Horsham." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather sentimental considerations in the background which would induce realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which union?" at my remark. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then suspect him." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if acted in my house last night?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most bled considerably." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we green of the new foliage. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Lee, in the county of Kent." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had this poor creature." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that for securing the situation." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, tell me that you intended to go into harness." both be extremely obliged.' think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion orange pips. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would manager. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "What is it, then--a fire?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers yourselves in at night?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "How did he come?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the stones. "But the mystery?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the few hundred pounds.' all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who he. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "It missed him, then?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we again." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a beyond words.