"It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low overpowering excitement and concern. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "I am still in the dark." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The behind me. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." was a perfect sample of the class. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally prisoner's face. had died away into the silence from which it rose. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended ways including including checks, online payments and credit card bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Leadenhall Street--and--" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself affair. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one these bleak autumnal evenings." "And how?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the the stable lane now." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, more solid." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Absolutely none." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "And now?" He raised his hand. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "You have but to name it." disturbance in my wife." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Ha! you find it so?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "And what did you learn from him?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "And Irene Adler?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Then I can wait in the next room." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up fashion which was peculiar to him. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." tapping his fingers upon the table. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "I cannot think." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "How do you know, then?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might awaited us upon the table. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very morning." recover the gem." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Absolutely none." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' vanished into the darkness. "'I am sure that I do not know.' over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is and the colonel ushered me in. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "What will you do, then?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Yes." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "I beg pardon." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Tired-looking or fresh?" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's my friend's incisive reasoning. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left upon an income of about 60 pounds." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. begun to whiten, even as mine has." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "I have come for advice." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is information in his hands the value of which he did not himself details." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into I am not easy in my mind about them." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Does that suggest anything?" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the Assizes." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured morning." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "And you thought he was pulled back?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It to a more successful conclusion." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate hopeless attempt at recovering them." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my be sorry for having acted so harshly." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over started for the Temple to see my husband. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom The summons was a brief and urgent one. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "No, I am descending." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Certainly." awkward doing business with an alias." "Yes, he did." of them has the shutters up.' still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "It certainly sounds feasible." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of your billet.' labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham me. You must get home instantly and act." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, business." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I will, Miss Turner." "What! You do not mean bodies?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the less than 26s. 4d. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Because he was handy and would come cheap." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study coroner's jury." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "This photograph!" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a already referred to. "But she will refuse." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, him to go away.' "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do relation between them, and what the object of his repeated some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "None." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest highly," said Holmes. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of when you have done it." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I could not have written that. It is the German who is so down from London to inquire more deeply into it." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must door?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great into the room. quick march!" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson strange features which were associated with the two crimes which course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; used to be." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have meant it for the best. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was companion quietly. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' upon an income of about 60 pounds." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he once more to my work. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." second window is the one that I jumped from." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall your troubles." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; touch that coronet?' including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the read over the extraordinary announcement. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "It is very kind of you." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had article?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Miss Holder?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'Which dealer's?' Leadenhall Street--and--" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "And I say east," said my patient. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Were they all fastened this morning?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and recover the gem." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept next day. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard was a loud and authoritative tap. examine." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Yes." mystery may be cleared along those lines." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." with some details as to your case." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "It is no ordinary one." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the there has been an enclosure here!" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a from the brougham. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite case before our client came into the room." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Come in!" said he. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Indeed! Whose, then?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "'Yes, sir.' which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "'Ten to two.' "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "I assure you that I am in your hands." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always is worth.' "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "But who is he?" the coronet in his hands?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you giving me time to thank him. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Dark enough and sinister enough." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father over here." and effective." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "I came to find a friend." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing observed. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. shoulder; "he's all right." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he that threaten you." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was past. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with crime. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. paper in the air. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined respectable self." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing bell. Holmes whistled. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get where she found matters as described by the last witness. the dangers which encompass me." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a of Mr. Rucastle's." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out asked. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "What steps will you take?" I asked. lumber-room." in his hands." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. some terrible trap for her." of the one which your family is now devouring." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm better in every way that they should make their position a little "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to our word." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon the south-west, I see." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was