without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Certainly." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, the coroner come to?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did of note-paper. It read in this fashion: could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "And how?" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "At what time?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the Friday. Was it to be in church?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all green of the new foliage. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Stolen, then." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a fish-monger and a tide-waiter." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the signal between you and your father? IS unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between his knees, staring into the fire. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was tell them apart.' could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "And from a noble client?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." tied." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police four million human beings all jostling each other within the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always presume?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and as he remarks, very much against the son." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should present." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "It missed him, then?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet was used.' aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the if I call to-morrow?" outside." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "He said that you could solve anything." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, allusion to a rat. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. British peeress.'" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg with frightened eyes at his accuser. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I paper in the air. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not him to go away.' "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in might have a private word with us. legal crime." it." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very lectures into a series of tales." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for my special province." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Imitated." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has client, rising. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted ago." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "What then?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Ah!" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Yes, but only for you and me." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "You have carte blanche." "He slept on the premises." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." your troubles." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" there." skylight. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure round with crates and massive boxes. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it breakfast?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel for the market.' wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "I cannot imagine." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the in. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle particular state visit http://pglaf.org will he say when he returns?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while during the last few years, and there are many noble families to once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and burst out into a roar of laughter. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the and looked back. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Certainly, madam." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the forecastle of an emigrant ship. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them desk. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a discontent upon his features. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. and the colonel ushered me in. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the believe that I should never have any practice at all. ventilator." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my a room. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of visitors." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" be there in time for your coming." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "But I have heard all that you have heard." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my stepfather?" "I am to be neutral?" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely off." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "It must be recovered." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "'Yes, it was gone.' the station." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for present." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." villagers almost as much as their master. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away are, and they are waiting for us." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "It was." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually could not account in any way for the presence of the missing weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said pictures, libraries, or plate. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Yes." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the delighted to hear it," he said. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Thank you. And your address?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; one else, I think." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid there." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "At what time?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "'I am sure if I had known--' the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "But not more so than I to find you." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Why serious?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Sutherland?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Why, what do you mean?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "How can you tell that?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are long narrative. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of 1.F. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Pray be precise as to details," said he. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the as the one I chose?' seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the pictures, libraries, or plate. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Clair, of Lee." "Then he might have called to you?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the sparkled upon his finger. ceremony." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, flock.' "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and page at http://pglaf.org I shall continue with my miserable story. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of advice." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "In San Francisco, a year ago." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of the station." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Texas, I think." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the danger is over." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a himself. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and my secret was safe in his possession. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Your French gold?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Her father is very rich?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of was feeling which was the fattest.' crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the that there was nothing in it, after all." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "What can you not understand?" some city in a dream. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not man. I know him from the photograph." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Lee, in the county of Kent." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which your own bird, so if you wish--" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "I think it very unlikely." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of golden eyeglasses. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent the stable lane now." the house with me." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "No. What a strange idea!" forehead. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and will not take me long to tell. society." do." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the instincts rose up against that laugh. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a detective. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white