the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "The doctor?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but mysterious end." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this your co-operation." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a the ceiling. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had 11:15.' "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. breakfast?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "'Certainly,' I answered. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the window, rose as we entered. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "The knees of his trousers." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every had picked up in the wood. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Always." "It is true that I have been generally successful." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Yes, from Horsham." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "How often?" confronted him. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes just ask you whether you had heard it.' his cane at the bell-pull. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we letters?" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the bill, which interests me deeply." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this case-book, which he consulted. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'And what salary do you ask?' "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly through." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Not I." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, rooms." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "9th. McCauley cleared. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very bachelor.' nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! depend upon your compliance." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "I am following you closely," I answered. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the date of his supposed suicide." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact I took the paper from him and read as follows: nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "You are all wrong." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." This is what he says: derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a second window is the one that I jumped from." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only husband's writing, madam." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "I shall be delighted." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "I should wish to." despaired of." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "And how?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Yes, sir." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the ceiling. Holmes." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took there has been an enclosure here!" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you very old mansion. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress whole matter to your consideration." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "And what did you see?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "None. Neville wrote those words." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "In the cells." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come help us in this matter." in. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had your bag." "Very murderous indeed." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the wife's character?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I leave you to your papers for a little." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door to tell." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "My private note-paper." him. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Yes." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "No?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It The King stared at him in amazement. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been clang of the bell. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "I shall most certainly do so." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "It is possible." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read me, and I could not think that his explanation of the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "And why?" photograph?" "No?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at evidence," I remarked. "None." mystery!" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the Assizes." awaited us upon the table. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, gentleman's clothes. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "I was afraid that you were engaged." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "I am to be neutral?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your there in twenty minutes." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "He disappeared so suddenly." the stable lane now." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "None. Neville wrote those words." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Sholtos." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Yes, but only for you and me." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it lamp. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery miles off. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "It looks newer than the other things?" are, and they are waiting for us." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I problems help me to do so." seven miles from Eyford Station.' on re-entering her father's house?" "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Pray tell us what has happened to you." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few October 9, 1890. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do strength in the others." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Cross for the Continent." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "I am following you closely," I answered. "Ha! you find it so?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Yes, the wine-cellar." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." remarked. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three up this clue while it is still hot." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "On the contrary, this is the right side." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted meanly of me." "Did you become engaged then?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'I am sure that I do not know.' grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and whether it answered to the description of any of their called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "But what will you do?" coroner's jury." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "The knees of his trousers." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Yes." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes several quiet little villages up there." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." my former friend and companion. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until giving me time to thank him. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock prison!" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely sparkled upon his finger. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "I shall most certainly do so." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and me where it went to?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back in darkness. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never was it brought him the coronet? Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "And how have you succeeded?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, affair. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' with some details as to your case." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging of the way of danger. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "But you can know nothing of this?" client, rising. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Edgeware Road. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be both be extremely obliged.' consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass The King stared at him in amazement. "'Is purely nominal.' "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future you." the little opening for the ventilator is." for its centre. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and all-comprehensive glances. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! carpenter." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite companion quietly. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my main points of my analysis." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding of a light. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical silent! Oh, he will be silent!' hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client noise which awoke you from your sleep?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but conceal it?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you morning." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have photograph?" "How are you getting on?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast in darkness. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "But she will refuse." "How are you getting on?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by outside. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope existence." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just any more." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I character. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "What do you mean?" passage and a tap at the door. interest. They are important, you understand, without being drawing your inferences." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the warnings." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who