"They are typewritten," I remarked. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" throat." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "That also I could fathom." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version crowd. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Who was the criminal, then?" passage and a tap at the door. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the general public were present, then?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we to-night?" I asked. "He said too much." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. at once, for I have only half an hour." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "And how?" at home. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then of the one which your family is now devouring." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Not him." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of behind me. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white quite distinctive." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Is he quiet?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "But what harm can there be in that?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the running down." "And why in hopes?" money should be paid at once.' "At the wedding breakfast." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she skylight. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We gone before you can get him to hospital." fear." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency be best to do. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "But it has twice been burgled." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I assure you that I am in your hands." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw prison!" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "But how will you look?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my started for the Temple to see my husband. "What is it?" "No. What a strange idea!" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Frequently." drove away. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "'Is purely nominal.' "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "'What, the red-headed man?' frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "None." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then friends, not even his own brother. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be fishes. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Why did you pick him?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the had died away into the silence from which it rose. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. key of the affair now." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news brought there to personate someone, and the real person is case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other at my remark. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the it." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "How did that help you?" key turn in the lock." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Breckinridge is his name." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty your own bird, so if you wish--" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you during the last few years, and there are many noble families to 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Very much so." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. other, as fresh and trim as possible. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the than was visible to me." your room." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "He slept on the premises." corner of the building. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps humiliation." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to used to be." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "What will you do, then?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "The gentleman I describe." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "It was a confession," I ejaculated. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Entirely." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Breckinridge is his name." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Well." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before happened." you came in." invisible to me," I remarked. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical the iron safe, which he closed upon it. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is depend upon my doing so.' plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down meant." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the bottom.' first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "'I have heard so.' was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very careless servant girl?" to talk it over. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Then I do not see the point." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a astonishment. "I cannot say that I have." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet companion. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his see me here to avoid scandal." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "I was mad--insane." sake, don't!" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner Mrs. Toller serenely. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "But I am all in the dark." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness intimate personal affairs in this public manner." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. the best of training." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite whole matter to your consideration." look dissatisfied." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in just called myself is not exactly my own." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the room while you explain this matter?" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which a monotonous occupation." "No good news?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was plantation.' at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five his huge brown hands. about. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "None." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "VIOLET HUNTER." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised row." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Well, it is a possible supposition." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." woman." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Yes." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Was the window open?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" points to suicide?" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' nothing with him." with frightened eyes at his accuser. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a than was visible to me." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I bears upon the case?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and key of the affair now." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She definite end. clanging. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. examine." over with notes and figures. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other orange pips. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge thought that she would have been so carried away." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There province." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., my special province." "Yes, from Horsham." me where it went to?" "Do you go out much in society?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two to-night?' "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Yes." extraordinary contortions. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley business at Coburg Square is serious." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six upon the white wrist. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," opportunities to fix the problem. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there did not hear it also.' can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. him. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary through." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a fire. You quite follow me?" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, upon the white wrist. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had prisoner's face. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon looking up at the numbers of the houses." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had read over the extraordinary announcement. "You are hungry," I remarked. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed again before evening." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "And Irene Adler?" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely into her hand at the door and which lured her within their which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the have I gained?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these beg that you will break it off." telegram would bring me down to your help." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "The vanishing of the lady." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." business."