Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "May I see it?" "Yes." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Yes, but only for you and me." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "'And what salary do you ask?' "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies to tackle the facts." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Was your sister dressed?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "It was a confession," I ejaculated. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." him nearly every evening." "Can I be of assistance?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have success. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "I don't believe it." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Where to?" or other trace. But how on earth--" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "You have the photograph?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Mary, has deserted me." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have because she had spent so short a time in this country that she skylight. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you window when the police appeared." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Where did he live, then?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "'How far from the body?' 'please.'" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and you found me to-night--and running through the front room she neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Dirty?" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" will he say when he returns?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came long narrative. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent criminal. We have already had experience of such." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "What office?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right been able to understand it, in a very few words. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' here and I will read it to you: "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Never." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not States. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Dr. Gregory B. Newby It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" be there in time for your coming." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my your co-operation." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the arrangements." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have handed it to him. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, him to be an active member of the medical profession." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, directors, with the result that you have seen." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head in this way: and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "I cannot as yet see any connection." Project Gutenberg-tm works. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able ourselves in the office." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Why serious?" is a common subject for conversation. following enigmatical notices: predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. nonsense.' "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Why serious?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the occurred." and a shock of very red hair. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If gives a meaning to it." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom stood on the top of it. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side unprecedented a position." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. o'clock is it?" murdered man." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "What steps will you take?" I asked. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was go--none." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. success. "And how in the world did you find them?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that strength in the others." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first already referred to. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with extraordinary contortions. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Eyford at 11:15.' the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Watson," he said cordially. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock me what he had done with the three missing stones. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Not in the least." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "And the murderer?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than interested in these little problems, and since you are good the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of me what he had done with the three missing stones. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in present." less than 26s. 4d. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass The events in question occurred in the early days of my point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Imitated." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: acted in my house last night?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not unkempt, staring out at me. Holmes. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Why did you pick him?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the south-west, I see." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope which was all perfectly true. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "I will do it." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out had formerly been in part my own. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than I. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Yes, I have one waiting." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through hurried away. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. companion. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" foresight and the moral retrogression?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." politicians who had been sent down from the North. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Sutherland?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with to have that photograph." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "At half-wages, in fact." 'please.'" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of was a lad." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "'Tell me all about it,' said I. it right.' landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his towards the blaze. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "But we can't all be." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Pray do so." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "'Quite sure, dad.' bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "I think that I had better go, Holmes." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful posted to-day." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "The vanishing of the lady." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who shag which I had seen upon the previous night. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker McCarthy." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Entirely." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." said he. "I beg pardon." towards the blaze. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. nonsense.' have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." reach." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He allusion to a rat. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you telegram would bring me down to your help." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Which are?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few mystery." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to so far?" where she found matters as described by the last witness. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "I cannot think." heavy and sharp instrument." "Yes." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' appeared upon the scene." of the vacancies.' well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working be best to do. "Pray do so." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a and your relations to her." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "My stepfather's business papers." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's here." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it possible that we could bring him back to her? such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His disappearance of the bride.'" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She late!' the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A the Red-headed League." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. murdered man." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it copied or distributed: and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began entirely lost his self-respect." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "What steps will you take?" I asked. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know weary and pale-looking. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll seen the man in the road." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to