clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous I was concerned in it." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have said I. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this been with you?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I washing it down with a long draught of water. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "'Oh, no.' While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a upon the shelf for the interim." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider just called myself is not exactly my own." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Then he might have called to you?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "'What do you call purely nominal?' broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last bled considerably." chance." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his certainly do as you advise." "I guessed as much." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, morning." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's bears upon the case?" "I came to find a friend." tear off another piece?' "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I am following you closely," I answered. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Yes." sake, don't!" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day the one as in the other." head. So long, then!" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about be sorry for having acted so harshly." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Do you receive much company?" he asked. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Where, then, is my wife?" never came back." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Well, it is a possible supposition." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "'Where could I find him?' Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons bird of prey. public press." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton are, and they are waiting for us." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "And when will you call?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a test if we have an answer to our advertisement." what do you think they found in the pockets?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other was not a bird to be seen there. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "I have come for advice." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only dramatic, in fact." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free gone. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the business." Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "My dear Holmes!" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," sneer upon his pale face. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the think, you have already met." upon the shelf for the interim." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To and a shock of very red hair. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may his forehead." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "There are none." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "That is not always so easy." "'Yes, I promise.' these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself himself to hunt down. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but a very grave face. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had returning from some small jollification and was making his way copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has my little problems." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project asked with his eyes open. "'In my own bureau.' has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster both be extremely obliged.' "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they just called myself is not exactly my own." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, towards the blaze. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you placed his cuttings. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "It looks newer than the other things?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the dangers which encompass me." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "What have you to say now?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the warnings." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do would apply.' recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, and laid it on the table. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such DISSOLVED. "That was it, sir." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. to-morrow." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the window when the police appeared." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me weighed down with some great anxiety. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call morning." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Then the page we have seen--" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the bed, and you in that chair." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "In which, sir?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "I am all attention, madam." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the strength of mind to control. to-night." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do http://gutenberg.net/license). "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Does that suggest anything?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was felt the room to be a little close.' acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Witness: Nothing definite. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An DAMAGE. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "It is his hat." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I details." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must standing smiling on the door-step. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of main points of my analysis." matter." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if really the only notable feature about the thing." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If been with you?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "I am following you closely," I answered. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened served to weaken the effect. for the market.' of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left test if we have an answer to our advertisement." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I even of instruction." I nodded again. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a held up the lantern and gazed about him. way in everything. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with hour." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Here?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it giving me time to thank him. Countess of Morcar's?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that nice household for a young lady." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you geese which you supplied to the Alpha." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "9th. McCauley cleared. train.' gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "And how in the world did you find them?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, showing my impatience. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I is a common subject for conversation. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "And help." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the was it brought him the coronet? "Pray tell us what has happened to you." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain to miss it." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Why, it's a dummy," said he. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Yes, sir." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is charged with?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Of what day?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to distance from the station, and there we found the young lady he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Upon what point?" "Witness: It was. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "That sounds a little paradoxical." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback desk. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "No." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found a monotonous occupation." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee the Assizes." it with his own hands." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, legal crime." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be could not account in any way for the presence of the missing stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "On your arm?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his the roots. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. posted to-day." "No, I had a dozen." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. too. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has thin, with a long, sharp nose?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Never." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is pierced for earrings?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down one of them." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "My photograph." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but and capable of preserving a secret.' "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Yes, they were peculiar boots." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Will you go?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. empty. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend triumphant cloud from his cigarette. answer." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any developed." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "I should like to see him very much." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and