access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE married her." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I my little problems." see me here to avoid scandal." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses attention." during that time.' cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me upon an income of about 60 pounds." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes meant." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, respectable self." again." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Clair, of Lee." compunction about shooting them down." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, written. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real house for five minutes.' "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "By no means." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you must be when I saw the door open.' "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally and it need not interfere very much with one's other "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it sooner or later she must fall a victim. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is *** START: FULL LICENSE *** room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "That's no good." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without you." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at The note was undated, and without either signature or address. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "And sit in the dark?" sake, don't!" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Miss Holder?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to despair." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Ample." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Ah, but I was recommended to you." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Do you receive much company?" he asked. into the bag, and made for the door. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Dr. Gregory B. Newby For additional contact information: old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers sparkled upon his finger. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. constraint." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "You'll never persuade me to believe that." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." read over the extraordinary announcement. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "You have but to name it." "Certainly." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they weighed down with some great anxiety. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "No, thank goodness, she did not." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "What steps will you take?" I asked. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "One of his hands." side. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella speckled band?" and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, invisible to me," I remarked. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with minor matters until to-morrow." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. drawing your inferences." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "And for present expenses?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble address. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, your most interesting statement." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, of them has the shutters up.' paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "How long did she speak to this Alice?" with the outside air!" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Then I can wait in the next room." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "But you were on a friendly footing?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy From what you have told me I think that it is possible that glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in could go. horse could go." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the which our visitor detailed to us. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the You want to know what became of those geese?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide the date of his supposed suicide." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I said he at last. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong you came in." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are all that?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought unprofitable." peculiar to him. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, distinguish the words: about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Street. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." undoubtedly my uncle's." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever useful material for showing traces. The double line a little pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before some terrible trap for her." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social noise which awoke you from your sleep?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Yes, I have one waiting." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me with the outside air!" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly unclasping of his long thin hands. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been and laid it on the table. for the market.' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Can I be of assistance?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Count Von Kramm." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "'And what salary do you ask?' and all of them with the keenest interest. "'Where to?' "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the matter?" "And how?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." society." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a his forehead." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached and put his glass in his pocket. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly derbies." Holmes rather sternly. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, clanging. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Countess of Morcar's?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. careless servant girl?" "Certainly." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "ARAT," I read. "I came to find a friend." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. here." "That also I could fathom." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Not in a good cause." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a and your relations to her." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both so far?" "Dirty?" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a visitors." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly to Leatherhead. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "'Yes, it was gone.' here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Murdered?" noble correspondent could be. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. this Miss Turner." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in distinguish the words: he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie carpenter." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, some terrible trap for her." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property is now desirous of getting those letters back." which was all perfectly true. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely affair. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "She showed me, as I told you she would." "My dear Holmes!" grasp, he hurried from the room. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come American. Then who could this American be, and why should he He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old ago." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the upon a handsome competence. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Where, then, is my wife?" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Lee, in the county of Kent." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "I was mad--insane." or other trace. But how on earth--" had formerly been in part my own. "Yes, sir." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had any." the loss of it. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, highly," said Holmes. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Nothing?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "And from a noble client?" "At what time?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "What, then, did Peterson do?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "And that is--" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and singular points about the case. What did the police think of the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong fled together." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save row." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "How can you tell that?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "She told me to ask you." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very obstinate." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for obstinate." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, of the way of danger. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" to a more successful conclusion." with the outside air!" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to past. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, client, rising. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which absolutely follow my advice in every respect." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting him and tried to hold him back. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE relation between them, and what the object of his repeated must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I there were one or two details which were new to me. But the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Mrs. Toller serenely. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off have got?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the lost nothing by them." and the colonel ushered me in. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I all?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his which are rolled in Rotterdam." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "My dear Holmes!" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for populous neighbourhood."