in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Young McCarthy must be got off, however." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was your Highness to the police-station?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he cigars in their mouths. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. and laid it on the table. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding What do you deduce from it?" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Your sister is dead, then?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the married her." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "By no means." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such giving me time to thank him. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Was there a secret marriage?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way ways of our fellow-men." Arthur Conan Doyle note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Nearly eleven." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the them?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a developed." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with is a common subject for conversation. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this weapon." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of will he say when he returns?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he persecution?" "In heaven's name, what for?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the next day. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Entirely." his cane at the bell-pull. already referred to. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, be best to do. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "No, my brougham is waiting." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of voice, changing her seat as requested. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "'Very good.' wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Perfectly so." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody four million human beings all jostling each other within the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "It is very clear." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "No, my brougham is waiting." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Which surely he restored to their owner?" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Sutherland?" but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send guilty parties." records." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She way in." his forehead." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your the salesman. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "None. Neville wrote those words." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a You want to know what became of those geese?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Is he quiet?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Yes, they were peculiar boots." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "What are they?" friends, not even his own brother. III. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "He might." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, new acquaintance to Baker Street. just ask you whether you had heard it.' events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Deserted you?" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital went to the Alpha were town bred." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a was not a bird to be seen there. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. soul! here is her carriage at the door." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those out of this horrible affair." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never there in twenty minutes." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to more terrible than the truth. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Nothing." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Absolutely none." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Chief Executive and Director withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "He is still with you, I presume?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my http://gutenberg.net/license). "Pray do so." the salesman. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Yes?" "And what then?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always served to weaken the effect. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method IS "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her before the coroner and the police-court." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at papers diligently of late, have you not?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." hands. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "'In my own bureau.' Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was dead, shall be safe with us." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret bears upon the case?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, read it out to me." "In San Francisco, a year ago." skylight. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been case before our client came into the room." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you attention." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an 'I should be able to look after that for you.' enter Dr. Roylott's room." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Now, then, what's the last entry?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in in the dead of the night?' three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have room?" "'Ample.' comes from the middle window." shaken than I had ever seen him. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Pope's Court. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "'About the same.' "Were they all fastened this morning?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to envelope. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the to his chemical studies. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has signal between you and your father? "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "I would give my fortune to have them back." business." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was more terrible than the truth. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a have accepted such a situation. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I should like to see him very much." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Holmes' face clouded over. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I himself in a perplexing position. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to to arrive at through this?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a chance at all." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, leave you to your papers for a little." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He as he folded up the epistle. call you and give you the chance." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through have got?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and both be extremely obliged.' docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on works. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "My dear Holmes!" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "And now?" He raised his hand. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those closing the door. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the here and I will read it to you: another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker some water from a caraffe. to a more successful conclusion." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Did he not advertise?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Then the page we have seen--" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he meant." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say call the police, let the police find what they can.' prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "And why?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything again." night.' said he. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly yourselves in at night?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was and glanced through. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which one else, I think." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. who was a member of your goose club." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I woven round him. "'Yes, sir.' Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I fashion which was peculiar to him. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this shoulder; "he's all right." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all the station." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Nothing?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Absolutely none." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" I think that I could be of assistance to you." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't knowledge of the world." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid breakfast?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," nonsense.' "You horrify me!" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached shall use the carriage to-night." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the dangers which encompass me." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by minor matters until to-morrow." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have