providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to John Swain, of St. Augustine. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "I do." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." said he at last. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "No, finished." the ceiling. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would bearing upon the case." "But who is he?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet with frightened eyes at his accuser. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it his face. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had discontent upon his features. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Pray let us have it, for all that." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in wedding?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Never." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who from the brougham. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the date of his supposed suicide." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing a very grave face. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a and the whole place is in a blaze." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Just look it up, then." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I felt the room to be a little close.' "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her and all of them with the keenest interest. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that meanly of me." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "That's no good." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." British peeress.'" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted humiliation." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, criminal. We have already had experience of such." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which McCarthy." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "'And what salary do you ask?' "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "I have come for advice." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" hereditary King of Bohemia." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at my room." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "I cannot think." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was his fortune, and I went back to pa. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, even so self-evident a thing as that." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "I have seen the police." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The very peculiar words of the dying woman?" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Why? What do you mean?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in despair." "Very much so." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am which we had just quitted. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that to you." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "What is it?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Then, how do you know?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see been lifted and conveyed somewhere." to tackle the facts." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own and effective." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. ways of our fellow-men." "What! Had he lost his wife?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I you do it in twenty minutes!' civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Yes, sir." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say golden eyeglasses. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, cigars in their mouths. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Sholtos." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Lestrade of Scotland Yard." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan wedding?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this of your young ladies.' "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Yes." "But I am all in the dark." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." more solid." you in your example." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, done what I asked you, Jones?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in swore that no one else had been in the front room during the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for than to us. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that seven miles from Eyford Station.' "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the definite end. directly by questioning you." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence never to learn it at all." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such memory. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough floor. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." name is different." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, here and I will read it to you: though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just breakfast." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been like that before?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will taking in every detail of the apartment. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found kind enough to tell me what I should do." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "What steps will you take?" I asked. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "No sign of it?" "'Never,' said I. shall use the carriage to-night." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one which I could not give. He asked for Alice. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are as he folded up the epistle. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more was not a bird to be seen there. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my ceremony." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some The police have openly confessed that they can at present make to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" weapon." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is use an arc-and-compass breastpin." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Henry Baker is a member." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" his knees, staring into the fire. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "But you can know nothing of this?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my returned to France?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the peculiar to him. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "I cannot tell." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down was keenly on my guard against him. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my American. Then who could this American be, and why should he There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf during which he might have communicated with his friend the important." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study call the police, let the police find what they can.' away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the For additional contact information: be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." a suggestive one." and inquire as to the address." visitors." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, some terrible trap for her." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Yes." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." call for it in person on Monday morning.' been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "And I." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad possible that we could bring him back to her? There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Do you go out much in society?" "No more words. Get out!" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another must be when I saw the door open.' moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my the coronet in his hand?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such past. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "I shall be delighted." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Quite so." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" I nodded again. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought said he, "my real name is James Ryder." disappearance of the bride.'" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" wedding?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Who by?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with one which it was hard to resist. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "I saw her in conversation with her maid." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "You think so, too?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "By no means." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all your equipment. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by works. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Serpentine Avenue. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her brought there to personate someone, and the real person is affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "But we can't all be." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and absorbing." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike I held the little printed slip to the light. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily a room. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of enter into my head. served to weaken the effect. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with them?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond spare." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Yes." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the