were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known carriage. It was a chestnut." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Married! When?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "And how in the world did you find them?" fat-encircled eyes. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Eyford." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my to tell." chance at all." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second papers on the sundial.'" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Do you receive much company?" he asked. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was was feeling which was the fattest.' window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the case-book, which he consulted. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "What! You do not mean bodies?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: chance at all." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "What are they?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Farm upon the left." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from said I. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Precisely." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden than to us. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend there has been an enclosure here!" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "I am sure." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather upon a handsome competence. garden below. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. occurred." character. "It is possible." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "I shall most certainly do so." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was returned to France?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Nothing." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he tension within him. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that himself to tell his story. "And you can do nothing until then?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more six. Come in!" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed fishes. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "And help." room had already been engaged for us. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes one of the states of the Union." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Literary Archive Foundation a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he redistribution. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk generous with you in money matters.' elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "'What, the red-headed man?' already referred to. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the that threaten you." we went to search for him, face downward in a little do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported matters immensely." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in it." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "I would give my fortune to have them back." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room locked." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "The Coroner: What do you mean? "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "I am all attention, madam." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "'And the work?' test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. his cane at the bell-pull. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of horse could go." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without walking." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight together. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Of Friday, June 19th." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." But Holmes shook his head gravely. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Whose house is it?" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its said he. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "What steps will you take?" I asked. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made he died? "'Most admirably.' "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of of the one which your family is now devouring." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, cheerful." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it me." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Then I am your man." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Yes, it would be as well." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering coroner's jury." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "I cannot imagine." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest be sorry for having acted so harshly." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, manager. "Whose house is it?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that him. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. had picked up in the wood. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "They are typewritten," I remarked. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and attention." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All gives a meaning to it." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. are, I think, all that we need." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell chance." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, of Fenchurch Street." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a only touch the interest." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook returned to France?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. 1.F. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some wall." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For these bleak autumnal evenings." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to have not had my rubber." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments said he. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "But I am all in the dark." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross disturbance in my wife." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated of the one which your family is now devouring." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Where did he live, then?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood hurried away. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. my little problems." "Well?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin respectable self." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it closely." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Tired-looking or fresh?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," in his power. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really is entirely a question of barometric pressure." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with away in different directions, and I went off to make my own sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his sooner or later she must fall a victim. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a married her." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the coroner come to?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, persecution?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "'What do you call purely nominal?' he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not wanted for ourselves." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what examine." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "When did she vanish, then?" one's self under obligations.' being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." approach us with offers to donate. answered with a sidelong glance. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "No, distinctly professional." photograph?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Because he was handy and would come cheap." beyond words. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact with the outside air!" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Will you go?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the woven round him. interest. They are important, you understand, without being "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Have you it here?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the ceiling. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself what I may call a really hard day's work." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" wedding?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and