"Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much suddenly upon us." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your entirely lost his self-respect." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. his grey eyes. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "What have you done?" asked Holmes. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City is worth.' The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without you, my dear young lady?' in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon humiliation." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "What then?" stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was of them has the shutters up.' "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his chamber." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite o'clock is it?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Young McCarthy must be got off, however." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." to that open window." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and wall." ventilator." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use into the bag, and made for the door. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. paper in the air. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, status with the IRS. "Entirely." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "I have a cab outside." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Chief Executive and Director "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two populous neighbourhood." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly present." "You have a clue?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the photograph?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "So it appears." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, detective. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit him. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the hurried away. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall awaited us upon the table. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' business came to an end." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "And how have you succeeded?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot goes." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I say it is." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt strong reason behind." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "That is not always so easy." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of forbidden door. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for fishes. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "9th. McCauley cleared. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "I have a cab outside." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal you for a few hours?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Has he come with you to-night?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to leave you to your papers for a little." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor on in his house." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "But who is he?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry and the church but not where the lady lived." Pool. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all know that the truth is known." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "That sounds a little paradoxical." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to points in connection with it which never have been, and probably which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "You forget that I know nothing about it." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "But of what society?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Then how many are there?" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year putting in the horse. kindly on the shoulder. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were voice. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "But you can know nothing of this?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "I was sure that I might rely on you." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "He is dead," cried several voices. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I people don't know." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Yes." how narrow had been my escape. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely could not account in any way for the presence of the missing overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no nights." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the devil!" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "And when will you call?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad crackling voice. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the fat-encircled eyes. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really matter." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with congratulate you again." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "An enemy?" remarked. to talk it over. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "ARAT," I read. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "'Yes.' but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "I shall most certainly do so." me." "9th. McCauley cleared. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Then I do not see the point." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Dark enough and sinister enough." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front you came in." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as could go. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds which should have the effect of calling the attention of the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Pray continue your narrative." "Pray let us have it, for all that." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "You have compromised yourself seriously." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "My private note-paper." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very that, and I came down." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a true." "Quite so." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The families. Now for the facts. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to of Fenchurch Street." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Where, then?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found the armchair which I pushed forward for him. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the I shall continue with my miserable story. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Yes." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "'What do you call purely nominal?' get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "No, finished." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Upon what point?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that garden below. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem attention." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but assist you in forming an opinion." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door eavesdroppers?' of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "A client, then?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but over part of the map. "What do you read?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man You want to know what became of those geese?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his himself to hunt down. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "But not more so than I to find you." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but it." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' good for you to do.' heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; there were so many in the whole country as were brought together in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start