sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly that I may have something better before very many minutes are began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied in my life." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by License. You must require such a user to return or "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' obstinate." "Ha! you find it so?" strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle becomes even more simple." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence address. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the devil!" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting might help us?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. For additional contact information: reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' I held the little printed slip to the light. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a electronic works have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I to you." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! during that time.' it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Very much so." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between annoyance, but no jest. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, interested in these little problems, and since you are good now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your meant it for the best. shoulder. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "He disappeared so suddenly." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was seven miles from Eyford Station.' cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a nights." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "What then?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet long narrative. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A himself to tell his story. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "No." did not hear it also.' d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you might have a private word with us. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for husband's writing, madam." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Your sister is dead, then?" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to means taking possession of that which another person has a prior fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "I will do it." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An orange pips. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper everything which you would wish to know." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." voice, changing her seat as requested. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Thank you. And your address?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, dramatic, in fact." "I cannot say that I have." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the breakfast." go--none." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers footfalls from the street. "I will, Miss Turner." "Then the page we have seen--" congenial hunt. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' ceremony." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs had died away into the silence from which it rose. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the sparkled upon his finger. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same examine." "No, I think that I'll take it." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar had formerly been in part my own. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my take the flies, but not before." in one or two places in England?' few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a again on its way. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" particular state visit http://pglaf.org and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Of what?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: your co-operation." Pope's Court. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought outside." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Why serious?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest hurried away. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "I shall be delighted." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in never came back." new duties?' too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "You have but to name it." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this we went to search for him, face downward in a little multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Countess of Morcar's?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "'Where to?' but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I read it out to me." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Have you it here?" "How about poison?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the only touch the interest." "And for present expenses?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could as the one I chose?' from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul that before taking the final step I should like to submit the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think to take care of herself." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Quite so. She has her freedom." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? and no precautions can guard against." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "What! a murderous attack?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips maid will bring up your coffee." "And what then?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what may never be exposed to such a temptation." redistribution. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the ourselves in the office." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's the house with me." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & remarked. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view arrangements." letters?" "What will you say?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the dramatic, in fact." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It to-night's adventure." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which fait accompli?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the there!' had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, the Assizes." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now round and wave him away like that.' "An enemy?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no trying to your nerves." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, fait accompli?" "VIOLET HUNTER." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen ran thus: and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Not in the least." have an American origin." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Just look it up, then." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Because he was handy and would come cheap." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to delighted to hear it," he said. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and digesting their breakfasts at home." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as pity, because in other respects you would really have done very death." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "But how will you look?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had which it had come upon my father." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known even so self-evident a thing as that." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight was lame." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Then I am your man." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "What of the rat, then?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. bonnet, and went out." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored morning." there!' whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same in one or two places in England?' air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the call for it in person on Monday morning.' "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "'Certainly not. But why?' him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my the nursery. that you saw all that I did." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Where to?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the coronet in his hands?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with stalked out of the room. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium less than 26s. 4d. wedding?" know what is wrong with it.' "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "'As governess?' red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining on in his house." to that open window." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most success. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the again." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." hereditary King of Bohemia." straighten it?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet tightly behind him. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say official police." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "May I see it?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white clanging. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "No." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, particular state visit http://pglaf.org to arrive at through this?" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained foresight and the moral retrogression?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed cigar and let me expound." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "One of the highest in England." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of