"Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his disappearance of these gems?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. present." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There sufficient punishment." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of even of instruction." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her you do it in twenty minutes!' own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "And you thought he was pulled back?" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile when your master had gone out." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, in a friendly supper." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond held up the lantern and gazed about him. even of instruction." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Where, then?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and read over the extraordinary announcement. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Texas, I think." something of him before." "What have you to say now?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "We must sit without light. He would see it through the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "How on earth--" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time I shall continue with my miserable story. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "None." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle case before our client came into the room." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I License. You must require such a user to return or room?" a good hundred miles off by now." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at upon the shelf for the interim." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" 'please.'" "Then I shall certainly come." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my him and tried to hold him back. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Then what has happened to him?" nonsense.' least a fellow-countryman. any little problem which you may submit to me." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "And it is--" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in heavy and sharp instrument." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "But you were on a friendly footing?" "'Ample.' stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left standing smiling on the door-step. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. hopeless attempt at recovering them." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Imitated." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence swore that no one else had been in the front room during the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for works. See paragraph 1.E below. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar burst out into a roar of laughter. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Witness: Nothing definite. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, foot. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "And how did you find out?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Who was the criminal, then?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the or other trace. But how on earth--" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think waste of energy." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution hardly wander." cigars in the box." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," someone who had been in Australia." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "And I." "Certainly, madam." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without shaken than I had ever seen him. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Certainly." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "In heaven's name, what for?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a that you saw all that I did." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert for and were ordered to this address. been." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "You will not go there first?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." DISSOLVED. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "And sit in the dark?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I gives a meaning to it." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that present strange and interesting features that it is no easy showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he rose-bushes. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "And why?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Watson," he said cordially. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a sit on the left-hand side of the driver." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him read it out to me." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Then I shall certainly come." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "An enemy?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "I am following you closely," I answered. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that could gather together that I was able to avert another public "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative and prosperity to your house. Good-night." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, bird I ate is country bred." "Where did he live, then?" "Then he might have called to you?" corner of the building. wedding?" most interesting one." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to walking." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick arrangements." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Where did he live, then?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Was there a secret marriage?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were felt?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. sofa. This way, please!" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our himself to hunt down. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without me. You must get home instantly and act." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off woman who has had her own way to make in the world. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the entirely lost his self-respect." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Pray do so." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the running down." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite is four-and-twenty." the so-precious time, but come!' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the of your young ladies.' poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Did you observe the colour?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my think that he is innocent?" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to this Miss Turner." weary and pale-looking. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked third from London." "Will you bet, then?" "There are none." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out bell. Holmes whistled. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Her father is very rich?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Holmes. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of she has been waylaid. There has been no result." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque conversation I have gathered that they have been married about to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so narrative." Where does the thing come from?' thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of said he. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his walking." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" minor matters until to-morrow." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be to change my dress. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Did you observe the colour?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" will be renamed. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know main points of my analysis." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It asked with his eyes open. Sutherland?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of how narrow had been my escape. kindly on the shoulder. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked you understand?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "And who is her maid?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. wife's character?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible carpenter." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and it." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" been." "But she could not love him." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and gone. already been minutely examined." "It came here." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to whether it answered to the description of any of their better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should know all about it," he snarled. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the loss of it. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at call for it in person on Monday morning.' was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. death." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "None." once more. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account along the entire front of the house, with three long windows took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then there in twenty minutes." forehead. "Then I can wait in the next room." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Seven!" I answered. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those eat it."