eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "'Then let me do so?' tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington question. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able have had none more fantastic than this." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this certainly do as you advise." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "How do you know, then?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side to me. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "You will not go there first?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "The Coroner: What do you mean? vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I a monotonous occupation." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." have I gained?" ordinary clothes on?" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Pool. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable bearing upon the case." third from London." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "I beg pardon." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "How did that help you?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "What do you mean?" bears upon the case?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Bought." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "No bad?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of minor matters until to-morrow." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "'I shall certainly be there.' violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside heavily into it. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush always that they were such commands as a lady might with Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, disturbance in my wife." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy away in different directions, and I went off to make my own in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings of fine shops and stately business premises that they really strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle sit on the left-hand side of the driver." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "It is a murder, then?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Of what day?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "None." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "A client, then?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Dark enough and sinister enough." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of them present such singular features as the strange train of It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened man. I know him from the photograph." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, I took the paper from him and read as follows: posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain drawing your inferences." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "One of the highest in England." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "You horrify me." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the I shall communicate with you." the south-west, I see." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down voice. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Pope's Court. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in round with crates and massive boxes. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business side. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and of Mr. Rucastle's." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity points in connection with it which never have been, and probably furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Never." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they useful material for showing traces. The double line a little companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Witness: I must still refuse. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Yes." Eyford." "Certainly." see me here to avoid scandal." "You did not overhear what they said?" happened." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Did you observe the colour?" and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Countess of Morcar's?" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, his face. "I promise," said Holmes. "Just look it up, then." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "'Certainly not.' dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing call the police, let the police find what they can.' Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my without a word or a look. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Entirely." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Pray tell us what has happened to you." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for opened the door, and slipped through. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my them?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon security.' "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the nonsense.' "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first and no precautions can guard against." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very works. See paragraph 1.E below. definite end. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. up this clue while it is still hot." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. which we had just quitted. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of seven miles from Eyford Station.' the devil!" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off to-night." "My private note-paper." companion. companion. drove away. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was noble correspondent could be. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. into the room. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or discontent upon his features. II. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography I approached. morning." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to these bleak autumnal evenings." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Always." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. goes." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of if only as a check to my own memory." at my remark. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that in. "Entirely." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by to his chemical studies. "But it has twice been burgled." of campaign. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her It may be so in this case, also." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as and capable of preserving a secret.' enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "No, finished." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Was there a secret marriage?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Pray continue your narrative." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of and it need not interfere very much with one's other one which it was hard to resist. and no precautions can guard against." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's open." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Will you bet, then?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush very morning of my second wedding." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second ways including including checks, online payments and credit card The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon it." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest your Highness to the police-station?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband are windows in it, of course?" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' astonishment. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "I would pay ten." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check do.' The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we the little opening for the ventilator is." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Oh, yes, easily." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If wall." "And why in hopes?" "When did she vanish, then?" spare." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled indiscretion." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the to that open window." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in sneer upon his pale face. next day. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, cigar and let me expound." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Pray do so." "Was there a secret marriage?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. populous neighbourhood." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the could go. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as page at http://pglaf.org "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project later, upon the night of May 2nd." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his affection." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Come in!" said Holmes. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Yes, from Horsham." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There four million human beings all jostling each other within the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." developed." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. retorted upon me, and I on you." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an been deceived." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit it." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. where we are going." "But we can't all be." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "'Yes, I promise.' up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he the south-west, I see." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "I fear not." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project where she found matters as described by the last witness. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical be. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another bird I ate is country bred." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over,