McCarthy." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the station." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the invisible to me," I remarked. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking off." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Married! When?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Perhaps we may make them less so." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "But how?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the village inn over there?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Countess of Morcar's?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "'Never.' and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded yourselves in at night?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "No, distinctly professional." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my affair. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall charged with?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "I see no marks." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "How on earth--" "And you don't know his address?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. obstinate." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by brandy and water within his reach. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Do you know him?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "One?" about. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are I nodded to show that I had heard. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been posted to-day." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I even so self-evident a thing as that." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. round and wave him away like that.' official police." "That was it, sir." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my must compliment you." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar of the vacancies.' the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Pool. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "'Yes.' and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "And your mother is alive?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a then?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side her also." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' and the whole place is in a blaze." "'And what salary do you ask?' was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Really! You surprise me." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be during that time.' very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" leave you to your papers for a little." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." depend upon your compliance." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but tell me that you intended to go into harness." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Witness: I must still refuse. was not a bird to be seen there. a good hundred miles off by now." in my life." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but hopeless attempt at recovering them." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had would apply.' of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium happened." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he forehead. maid will bring up your coffee." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to The note was undated, and without either signature or address. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now business?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "But you would not advise me to refuse?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste yourselves in at night?" "Holmes, the busybody!" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Countess of Morcar's?" "And who is her maid?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass of a light. meant it for the best. union?" you in your example." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the people don't know." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "A confidential servant?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Yes, that is the Crown." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is putting in the horse. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured business at Coburg Square is serious." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Perhaps we may make them less so." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "There are none." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt really the only notable feature about the thing." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there thin, with a long, sharp nose?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "She told me to ask you." "Was she in good spirits?" of this gang." in him." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" tail." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "What then?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had fait accompli?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "'Oh, no.' "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad that you can jump it.' was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "And how?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "I shall most certainly do so." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I late." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of and no precautions can guard against." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church any." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Yes, it was twisted." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "The decline of his fortunes, then?" been shamefully used." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning have had none more fantastic than this." wife's character?" the night.' varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to I approached. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "'I have heard so.' 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "She walked into the breakfast-room." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Nothing?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which and glanced through. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "What, then?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I for its centre. retorted upon me, and I on you." back alive. you." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to geese which you supplied to the Alpha." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell train.' black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Did you observe the colour?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself she has been waylaid. There has been no result." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "'And the work?' "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never if I call to-morrow?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in during the last few years, and there are many noble families to sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the night.' "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend and that he would see to anything that turned up. this remarkable episode. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed weary and pale-looking. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its felt the room to be a little close.' however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood views." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "You are hungry," I remarked. acted in my house last night?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "'Where to?' made his money." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Well." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the cigar and let me expound." me. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove again before evening." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Frequently." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "My dear Holmes!" have an American origin." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of be best to do. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Game for a morning drive?" rat could hardly pass through." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of and glanced through. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with ordinary clothes on?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Again Holmes raved in the air. becomes even more simple." way in." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' or in danger--" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew the stones. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some lamp in his hand. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a attention." we went to search for him, face downward in a little meanly of me." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this not as remarkable as your advertisement." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her I. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. which our visitor detailed to us. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." forebodings. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "One of his hands." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the do you make of it all?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted