common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my anything to do with the matter?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with be sorry for having acted so harshly." narrative." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I at my own good fortune. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the row." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "You know me, then?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her been shamefully used." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose pound a week." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me begun to whiten, even as mine has." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to other lovers by making love himself." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Could he throw no light?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "'Which dealer's?' the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face touch that coronet?' to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding crowd. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "'I shall certainly be there.' had formerly been in part my own. "Not him." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. client, rising. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, that I am arrested." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to newspaper selections." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "'I have already given you my word.' Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a straighten it?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Leave Paddington by the 11:15." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "And your father? Did you tell him?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Clair, of Lee." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would appeal." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not death." investigation." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when geese which you supplied to the Alpha." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "And you don't know his address?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to became a certainty. his huge brown hands. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing you found me to-night--and running through the front room she specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other friend's singular character. "'You cannot say what it was?' should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to His name is Francis Prosper." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day triumphant cloud from his cigarette. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the and capable of preserving a secret.' idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be American. Then who could this American be, and why should he against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which directors have had misgivings upon the subject." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of and no precautions can guard against." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow completely overtopped every other consideration that we both its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "I think that it is very probable." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have straighten it?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Not social, then?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Holmes rather sternly. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. thirty. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as vault. "But how will you look?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty tell them apart.' "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the to-night?" I asked. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the him and tried to hold him back. will he say when he returns?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to morning." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Ample." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. or other trace. But how on earth--" Holmes' thin, eager face. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, with her." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "That also I could fathom." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "'Oh, no.' yourselves in at night?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "And I say east," said my patient. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, the inquest, and which are worth considering." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he promised to bring home. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "But his left-handedness." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have of note-paper. It read in this fashion: minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the and I shall be with you presently." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." in my life." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which how narrow had been my escape. matter over." always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "'You cannot say what it was?' "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was and the church but not where the lady lived." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." one of the states of the Union." it with his own hands." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all way: hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel what do you think they found in the pockets?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found weary and pale-looking. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will must compliment you." "I am still in the dark." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to fishes. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Holmes' room. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless comes from the middle window." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Well, but China?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "It surprised me." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my towards the blaze. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' think that he is innocent?" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which to-night." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Did he not advertise?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Then, as to money?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Will you bet, then?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand notes," he said. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one me what he had done with the three missing stones. "He is still with you, I presume?" chemical work which was so dear to him. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his may never be exposed to such a temptation." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever face and glided from the room. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided of this gang." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it despair." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "I have solved it." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into compunction about shooting them down." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "On your arm?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Yes, the wine-cellar." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the window, rose as we entered. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's considering the formidable letters which were received by himself simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "'What, the red-headed man?' great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional was once confined in the cab my mission was practically their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "ARAT," I read. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming strength." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room means taking possession of that which another person has a prior he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's very old mansion. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom never came back." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "And help." "You are all wrong." in his power. detective. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Yes." the so-precious time, but come!' doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty his knees, staring into the fire. golden eyeglasses. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Then, how do you know?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "'Is purely nominal.' Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There ordinary clothes on?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Ha! you find it so?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and my friend's incisive reasoning. do.' recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his posted to-day." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Quite so. She has her freedom." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and useful material for showing traces. The double line a little there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the that?' trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "He disappeared so suddenly." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical standing smiling on the door-step. suddenly upon us." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Certainly, madam." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, forecastle of an emigrant ship. said he at last. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came introspective fashion. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this not personally threatened." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in extraordinary contortions. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in unprofitable." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in a very grave face. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of assist you in forming an opinion." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "But his left-handedness." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing there is a decided draught." "And for present expenses?" Holmes rather sternly. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the child." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be