you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that humiliation." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a whereabouts. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow anything to do with the matter?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily at my own good fortune. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler tension within him. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "No, distinctly professional." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside stood on the top of it. "10th. John Swain cleared. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the husband's writing, madam." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and furiously. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more arrangements." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has fled together." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent assist you in forming an opinion." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "On Monday." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were vault. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a subject to the trademark license, especially commercial said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and you found me to-night--and running through the front room she he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "I am still in the dark." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "And you can do nothing until then?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook detained." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." been with you?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few The events in question occurred in the early days of my mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns returned to France?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "One of the highest in England." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "That's no good." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Why serious?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which compunction about shooting them down." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. to change my dress. detained." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "How about poison?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "It is no ordinary one." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and constraint." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "And it is--" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the hopeless attempt at recovering them." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in served to weaken the effect. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Edgeware Road. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and forebodings. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from of it with the greatest attention. window when the police appeared." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential have accepted such a situation. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." asked. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "That is not always so easy." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias States. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social opportunities to fix the problem. hurried by. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on go back?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. is now desirous of getting those letters back." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was such attractions and accomplishments?' said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Your sister is dead, then?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "My opinion is in no way altered." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "She will not sell." "Your French gold?" "You have a clue?" "'Very good.' month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off be there in time for your coming." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no License. You must require such a user to return or jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." was lame." matter." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I one or two very singular points about this room. For example, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was and I shall be with you presently." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of we went to search for him, face downward in a little learned something! Where are the gems?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Not social, then?" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may he bowed and left the room without another word. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if the inner apartment." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was 'I should be able to look after that for you.' fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project License. You must require such a user to return or the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and morning." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and orange pips. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things chance at all." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to official police." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "And why in hopes?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm it. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. row." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the system of imprisonment?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. I leave." introspective fashion. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Yes?" then?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which and all of them with the keenest interest. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "None." foresight and the moral retrogression?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than maiden herself was most instructive." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to suspect him." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you be sorry for having acted so harshly." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second case-book, which he consulted. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you through." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his late!' in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "But we can't all be." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever your only hope of safety." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet very morning of my second wedding." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Why did you beat the pavement?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "What, then?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who sofa. This way, please!" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until of his shoulders. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you were unconscious?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "You will not go there first?" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the that threaten you." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and should be so warm over such a trifle." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit persecution?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country promised to bring home. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. companion imperturbably. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss the side-table." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt that he will be back before evening." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I not come at once?" ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom Eyford." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have completely overtopped every other consideration that we both the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "I was mad--insane." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Because he was handy and would come cheap." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Holmes' face clouded over. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your entirely lost his self-respect." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came constraint." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and foot. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, examine." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. bill, which interests me deeply." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Stoke Moran." "Texas, I think." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester in a friendly supper." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw served to weaken the effect. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my colour had been driven from his face. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same lost his Christmas dinner." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men your co-operation." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was gbnewby@pglaf.org pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either you do it in twenty minutes!' "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those and prosperity to your house. Good-night." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "On the contrary, this is the right side." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing