endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Ah!" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already hour." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the one as in the other." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps throat." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good your sleep?' smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back who was a member of your goose club." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have your equipment. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my fear." "My stepfather's business papers." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the iron safe, which he closed upon it. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "And how?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Nothing." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are becomes even more simple." "Was the window open?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "My opinion is in no way altered." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the shall use the carriage to-night." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would indeed which he could not unravel. "It surprised me." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered used to be." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of records." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with it." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. ago." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the letters?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "That is it on the dressing-table." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the to that open window." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "The knees of his trousers." read over the extraordinary announcement. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Only as much as we can deduce." derbies." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Well?" idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" intrusion of other matters." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "'In my own bureau.' man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." quick march!" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "It is very clear." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and III. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which nights." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence the warnings." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "And leave your case unfinished?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this never will be, entirely cleared up. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the salesman. "'Yes, sir.' may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who question. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but direction." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "And your father? Did you tell him?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "How often?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "And I say east," said my patient. "On your arm?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the devil!" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest opened a pocket-book and took out a note. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down amused." "Perfectly so." "Not in the least." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing II. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "One of the highest in England." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Nearly eleven." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my were unconscious?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire cost them two and thirty pounds." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "But you can know nothing of this?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Then I do not see the point." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so strong reason behind." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "But how?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "'Then let me do so?' habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A What do you deduce from it?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their success. "Stolen." "He said too much." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very fled together." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the copied or distributed: Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts must be when I saw the door open.' "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'I shall certainly be there.' whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Yes, but only for you and me." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Yes?" few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of so.' by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "What then?" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Really! You surprise me." morning." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is congenial hunt. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Where did he live, then?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." the little opening for the ventilator is." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "And what then?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. to you." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of into the bag, and made for the door. case-book, which he consulted. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next case-book, which he consulted. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never chambers. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which any little problem which you may submit to me." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "No sign of it?" action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about was a perfect sample of the class. nice household for a young lady." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to to where he stood hid behind the curtain. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this showing my impatience. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY me upon any point which I do not make clear." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora was feeling which was the fattest.' without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Won't it ring?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, bare slabs of marble. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of at my remark. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" already referred to. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "And is that all?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "10th. John Swain cleared. "'Which dealer's?' "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do which our visitor detailed to us. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "I have solved it." was a loud and authoritative tap. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with if I call to-morrow?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my walking." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "At half-wages, in fact." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of man. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the when you have done it." writers could invent nothing more crude." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me then?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'Stolen!' he cried. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily neither fascinating nor artistic." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a which I could not give. He asked for Alice. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Was the window open?" congratulate you again." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the to me. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Here?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your meant." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "On your arm?" at my remark. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very peculiar to him. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents that I can to serve you." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so Henry Baker is a member." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. forebodings. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in said Mr. Holder. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Why did you beat the pavement?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day he. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "To an end?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His was once confined in the cab my mission was practically lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If must compliment you." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Yes." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the one's self under obligations.' it." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "'Which dealer's?' other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "The landlord of the Alpha." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK singular points about the case. What did the police think of the