him!" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to answered with a sidelong glance. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is served to weaken the effect. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." room?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." new acquaintance to Baker Street. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the introspective fashion. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the morning and make my own way in the world.' there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' I nodded again. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Ample." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we from the brougham. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Then, as to money?" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Holmes." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get over part of the map. "What do you read?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not girl said." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and mystery." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little opportunities to fix the problem. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were possible that we could bring him back to her? but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the a room. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do whether it answered to the description of any of their Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. chance at all." "The rest you will leave in our hands." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, feature." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "By no means." mystery!" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Then I am your man." envelope. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can observed. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the into the room. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a second." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything newspaper selections." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "I know where it is." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My ventilator." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door seem to you to be relevant or not." death." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Have you good authority for what you say?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Of what?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "And why in hopes?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock in my life." During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'In my own bureau.' "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'What do you call purely nominal?' thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. public press." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the as yours." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' father's place of business?" copied or distributed: you?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and new acquaintance to Baker Street. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Not in a good cause." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "9th. McCauley cleared. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to look upon these things in a different way." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way about here speaks of his kindness to him." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Where does the thing come from?' distinguish the words: about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End is four-and-twenty." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "But I have heard all that you have heard." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Texas, I think." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I gone before you can get him to hospital." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "It must be recovered." friends, not even his own brother. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "'Which dealer's?' something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution kindly on the shoulder. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Yes?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "You'll never persuade me to believe that." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Bought." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she information in his hands the value of which he did not himself the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's that the gas is not laid on in his house?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. to talk it over. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by paper in the air. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Surrey." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Mary, has deserted me." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging highly," said Holmes. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Pray let us have it, for all that." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "You have carte blanche." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some your room." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "And it is--" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "It is possible." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Mrs. Toller serenely. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that unclasping of his long thin hands. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "But she could not love him." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "But you were on a friendly footing?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of returned to France?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to signal between you and your father? conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a had a long day." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt questionable one." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was http://www.gutenberg.net was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "A confidential servant?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he said I. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, that you wished to speak to me?' that?' "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "And how?" the tragedy. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." to change my dress. "But you can know nothing of this?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, where she found matters as described by the last witness. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend individual and becomes the badge of a society." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Yes, it would be as well." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "And you thought he was pulled back?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "No, finished." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my forecastle of an emigrant ship. my room." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "To an end?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Yes, that is the Crown." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking floor. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "But to whom?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' John Swain, of St. Augustine. the loss of it. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "You heard nothing yourself last night?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil foresight and the moral retrogression?" the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the child." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "'Yes, I promise.' wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and The telegram which we eventually received came late one night analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Literary Archive Foundation breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is sofa. This way, please!" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "What are they?" one else, I think." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an of receipt of the work. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be have had none more fantastic than this." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of could not have written that. It is the German who is so strange features which were associated with the two crimes which erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Yes. He waved his hands." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's my special province." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by jewels which you have stolen?' "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" it." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his I nodded again. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he new duties?' "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only to tackle the facts." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Then I shall certainly come." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must is," said he presently: save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I door?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Oh, fresh and glossy." village inn over there?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Again Holmes raved in the air. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for families. Now for the facts. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to I shall continue with my miserable story. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" 11:15.' of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and tell them apart.' Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "And you don't know his address?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, towards the blaze. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day