"But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Eh? What was that?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." in the hope of finding them." "And you can do nothing until then?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, sufficient punishment." "How did that help you?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong him and tried to hold him back. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier anything to do with the matter?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the McCarthy's innocence. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations lamp in his hand. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Absolutely none." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do October 9, 1890. both be extremely obliged.' the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" any little problem which you may submit to me." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a hopeless attempt at recovering them." fait accompli?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it up this clue while it is still hot." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months me what he had done with the three missing stones. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the business at Coburg Square is serious." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "What, then, did Peterson do?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'Not at all. I only doubt--' saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Awake, Watson?" he asked. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which on re-entering her father's house?" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Very truly yours, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about enough to aid us in our search." crackling voice. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train DISSOLVED. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," might help us?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any yet." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite waste of energy." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in man. I know him from the photograph." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. I approached. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "He is dead," cried several voices. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did chemical work which was so dear to him. there is a decided draught." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Yes." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "I cannot imagine." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Of Friday, June 19th." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "But you have hopes?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once crackling voice. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive married her." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Never." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "'Quite sure, dad.' In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to his face which made him a very different person to the round, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "My own seal." trying to your nerves." "So it appears." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able province." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Where does the thing come from?' objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "'You doubt its value?' he asked. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." believe that I should never have any practice at all. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter very old mansion. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Breckinridge is his name." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed cigars in the box." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the and put his glass in his pocket. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to with you alone." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Then I do not see the point." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate careless servant girl?" and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just of your young ladies.' "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you held up the lantern and gazed about him. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and and files of the old papers, following the future career of every fact, we may call it conclusive." quite distinctive." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Holmes." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Yes, he did." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE figure." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he know that the truth is known." "Yes, but only for you and me." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with have one." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Not social, then?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The all-comprehensive glances. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Stolen." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. observed. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded asked. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having weapon." "You have a clue?" started for the Temple to see my husband. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended from you?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner of a light. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black The King stared at him in amazement. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "I beg pardon." some terrible trap for her." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided I am not easy in my mind about them." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' astonishment. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "'About the same.' provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Can I be of assistance?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging woman." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, forebodings. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you way in." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away horse could go." husband's writing, madam." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "I think that I had better go, Holmes." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Proceed, then." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my mystery." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me already been minutely examined." straightened it out again. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, charged with?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had your bag." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the had this final quarrel? is four-and-twenty." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out and the whole place is in a blaze." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's she used." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. weary and pale-looking. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to and your relations to her." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Yes." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Yes. He waved his hands." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "A thing like a cleaver," said he. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Yes." not personally threatened." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. very old mansion. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back tear off another piece?' Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in for its centre. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If should be so warm over such a trifle." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "If so, much may have happened between." cigar and let me expound." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever go back?" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Have you good authority for what you say?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do it were putty." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "What steps will you take?" I asked. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "I am in hopes that she does." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." have one." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the running down." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." gives a meaning to it." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Not particularly." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Oh, yes, easily." the matter?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" he. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave your equipment. system of imprisonment?" eat it." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of away into the river." "What then?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of off." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the late!' and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and tension within him. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found guilty parties." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and the address that was given us in the advertisement. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The I took the paper from him and read as follows: go--none." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the sound at heart." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all opened the door, and slipped through. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate room had already been engaged for us. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "What will you say?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Yes. He waved his hands." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Imitated." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "But she will refuse." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I that I am arrested." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Certainly." sake, don't!"