If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a into the bag, and made for the door. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting My friend smiled. strength in the others." but preventing her from injuring another. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered have accepted such a situation. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' brandy and water within his reach. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "And why?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure a good hundred miles off by now." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "What, then?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this there were one or two details which were new to me. But the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad that?' "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "I see many objections to any such theory." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation II. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "You have a clue?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning closely." "It is no ordinary one." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, was not a bird to be seen there. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Yes, that is the Crown." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that lips." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from strength of mind to control. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, spare." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the Friday. Was it to be in church?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Who was the criminal, then?" round with crates and massive boxes. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was read over the extraordinary announcement. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his business." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Oh, fresh and glossy." it with his own hands." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Awake, Watson?" he asked. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis fuss that is made over them." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has there!' order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my redistribution. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "You have compromised yourself seriously." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate she used." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her morning." at my remark. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. nice household for a young lady." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in heavy and sharp instrument." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "By all means." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Why, it's a dummy," said he. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that and wait." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "I am about to be married." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the crowd. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "My own seal." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. of." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "What do you make of that, Watson?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. to his chemical studies. "You have compromised yourself seriously." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa signal between you and your father? "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." lost his Christmas dinner." "And when will you call?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads my former friend and companion. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "But how?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he His smile broadened. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew be.' "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "A call for help, you thought?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "So it appears." him to go away.' give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "But she will refuse." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic than was visible to me." observed. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under families. Now for the facts. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding conduct the inquiry." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at not use it unless it is absolutely needed." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "This photograph!" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Has he come with you to-night?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "And why?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "'Tell me all about it,' said I. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "'And what salary do you ask?' "But you have hopes?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Holmes." wedding?" sufficient punishment." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the be there in time for your coming." even of instruction." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'Is 4 pounds a week.' guilty one." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who bore every mark of being an average commonplace British way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that to-night." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which when you have done it." the very morning of the wedding." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "The decline of his fortunes, then?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and out." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her recover the gem." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very emerged. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper your billet.' "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "My Mary? Impossible!" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true conduct the inquiry." "His face fell immediately. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as them, and came down just as you departed. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Never." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each acted in my house last night?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "It may not come to that," said Holmes. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small name is different." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. appeal." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and brought there to personate someone, and the real person is were unconscious?" place of silver." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the held up the lantern and gazed about him. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "That was it, sir." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, I held the little printed slip to the light. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an giving me time to thank him. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." papers on the sundial.'" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "What I expected to see." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United them, and came down just as you departed. acquaintance?" friend's singular character. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "It was a confession," I ejaculated. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton His name is Francis Prosper." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way characteristics, but those are the more obvious." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little together. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before even of instruction." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted in a very precise fashion." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then entirely lost his self-respect." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter head. So long, then!" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey clang of the bell. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has records." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Then I shall certainly come." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Nothing?" "The Cedars?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, be sorry for having acted so harshly." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting be there in time for your coming." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for someone who had been in Australia." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only business at Coburg Square is serious." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Where to?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the help us in this matter." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "I cannot tell." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my up this clue while it is still hot." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the letters?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my back alive. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "It certainly sounds feasible." your equipment. distinguish the words: among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about head. So long, then!" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four hurried away. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets your co-operation." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the remarked. written. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have