ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing quickly through a disagreeable task. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and been lifted and conveyed somewhere." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "And what did you see?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "How do you know, then?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. it means?" Farm upon the left." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he and that he would see to anything that turned up. and that he would see to anything that turned up. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He stepfather?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "You did not overhear what they said?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "He said too much." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack man. I know him from the photograph." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Yes, it would be as well." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a business matters.' vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he whereabouts. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "I assure you that I am in your hands." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Oh, fresh and glossy." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and presented more singular features than that which was associated desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." peculiar to him. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, promised to bring home. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At fashion which was peculiar to him. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You she used." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Munro.' other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "On your arm?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project that he will be back before evening." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be late." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "What will you do, then?" "I will not look." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "'I am sure that I do not know.' and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own seen the man in the road." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from gone. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If at my remark. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the ago." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Yes, from Horsham." footfalls from the street. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Come in!" said Holmes. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have she to prove their authenticity?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being entirely lost his self-respect." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most stood on the top of it. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in the matter?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, ceremony." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and newspaper selections." into the room. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "And what then?" in his hands." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence The telegram which we eventually received came late one night reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of hand, madam?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Witness: Nothing definite. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to I leave." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the remarked. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few some terrible trap for her." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be tied." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it ago." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. guilty one." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock not come at once?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "One of his hands." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking thirty. and it need not interfere very much with one's other thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the will he say when he returns?" "How on earth--" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." happened." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Nearly eleven." there!' appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this for securing the situation." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Here?" "Then I shall certainly come." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that for its centre. "And for present expenses?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but into the bag, and made for the door. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping examine." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your there." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." was keenly on my guard against him. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "'Yes.' His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal must be when I saw the door open.' daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Yes, sir." Eyford at 11:15.' companion quietly. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that heavily into it. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this what is your own theory as to what took place?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "It certainly sounds feasible." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "'A dozen yards or so.' with frightened eyes at his accuser. "No, finished." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out done what I asked you, Jones?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "It looks newer than the other things?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I the dangers which encompass me." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee bled considerably." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the them present such singular features as the strange train of company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he ill-usage at the hands of fortune. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was bill, which interests me deeply." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Really! You surprise me." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Holmes, the busybody!" business in the City. She little knew what. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "What!" he roared. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Then you may be so with me." individual and becomes the badge of a society." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" stammered. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Nothing?" of the one which your family is now devouring." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and business matters.' "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress do." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are your most interesting statement." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Then how many are there?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. beyond words. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror key turn in the lock." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was woman." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. made his money." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Mrs. Toller serenely. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his to his chemical studies. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the ventilator." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "'Yes, I promise.' imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black astonishment. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and flock.' waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Has he come with you to-night?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at these bleak autumnal evenings." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too case before our client came into the room." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. as this. Pray let me have the details." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Witness: I must still refuse. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Sutherland. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check narrative." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in and no precautions can guard against." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the running down." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Farm upon the left." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even to talk it over. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord a room. "A confidential servant?" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "That is not always so easy." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble if only as a check to my own memory." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From