"You don't mind breaking the law?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Then how many are there?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Only as much as we can deduce." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate you." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country she slowly sank and died without having recovered her front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Won't it ring?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles lamp. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Perfectly so." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen *** START: FULL LICENSE *** took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The cost them two and thirty pounds." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more call for it in person on Monday morning.' "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." foresight and the moral retrogression?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Where, then, is my wife?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel ready to-morrow?' deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, head. So long, then!" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "You think so, too?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "We were both in the photograph." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "And now?" I asked. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made knowledge of the world." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "The vanishing of the lady." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Was he the only applicant?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some new duties?' expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Not yet." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting standing smiling on the door-step. matter." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly floor. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a a suggestive one." that you saw all that I did." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the could not have written that. It is the German who is so of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "I cannot say that I have." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The girl said." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as families. Now for the facts. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you to you." habit of advancing money.' room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in corner of the building. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "'About the same.' exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope his eyes and forehead. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Oh, fresh and glossy." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a new acquaintance to Baker Street. four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Come in!" said Holmes. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast occurred." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his money should be paid at once.' "What, then, did Peterson do?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the are windows in it, of course?" "And I say east," said my patient. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon shadow pass over his face as I spoke. constraint." had a long day." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, used to be." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and him. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and nothing with him." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our The King stared at him in amazement. than was visible to me." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only to me. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "'How far from the body?' "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Stoke Moran?" said he. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it fact, we may call it conclusive." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little since then to throw any light upon what became of him." for securing the situation." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong habit of advancing money.' "But how will you look?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary recall any case within my experience which looked at the first should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less without success. At last the little money which I had saved began or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been best detective that ever lived. "But of what society?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "I shall most certainly do so." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress October 9, 1890. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the before, for it was considerably after midnight. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." washing it down with a long draught of water. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. least a most suspicious remark." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' them present such singular features as the strange train of case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds ill-usage at the hands of fortune. allusion to a rat. the Assizes." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" society." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers bell. Holmes whistled. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very of note-paper. It read in this fashion: red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net himself. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to the coroner come to?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first questioning and rather startled gaze. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall her also." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes crime. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House what is your own theory as to what took place?" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing furiously. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend is acting for the best. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "The knees of his trousers." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Witness: I must still refuse. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to himself. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an begun to whiten, even as mine has." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Not in a good cause." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't public press." 11:15.' "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. next day. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should my room." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where he bowed and left the room without another word. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner late!' Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. meant it for the best. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, existence." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." and effective." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "And you can do nothing until then?" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting you." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. investigation." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with there is a decided draught." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Yes, that is the Crown." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "'What then?' I asked. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, have established a very serious case against the son of the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Then he might have called to you?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer felt?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "'I am sure that I do not know.' upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and few hundred pounds.' they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate galvanised. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." sound at heart." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "What will you say?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "In heaven's name, what for?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." handed it to him. "And the murderer?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens my room." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he annoyance, but no jest. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or what these perils are?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, address. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" locked. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "And what did you learn from him?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." papers diligently of late, have you not?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came money should be paid at once.' than was visible to me." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have empty. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly suddenly upon us." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. weapon." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "I answered that I had not. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see troubles have been weighing upon his mind. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Nothing." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "'Where to?' very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the this Miss Turner." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "When did it break out?" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous people in all walks of life. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "You have carte blanche." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. head. So long, then!" "Will you go?"