and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 companion. "Not particularly." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy upon the white wrist. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my you want, then?' quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "They are typewritten," I remarked. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "No." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. held up the lantern and gazed about him. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "I shall be delighted." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "At half-wages, in fact." assist you in forming an opinion." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Indeed! Whose, then?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully village inn over there?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that other lovers by making love himself." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Yes?" "Texas, I think." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. least a fellow-countryman. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "What is it, then--a fire?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "It looks newer than the other things?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I the date of his supposed suicide." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Sutherland. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "A call for help, you thought?" bill, which interests me deeply." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week friend's singular character. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I knowledge of the world." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where business matters.' he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an that?' address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Yes." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two train.' "It is very clear." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "And what did you see?" "Get out!" said he. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I the running down." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious never came back." guilty parties." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which get her out of the way." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "What?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Where does the thing come from?' "So I am. Very much so." was already answered. strode off upon his way. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Why did you pick him?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "It is very clear." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a conclusions. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; fuss that is made over them." knowledge of the world." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock chair. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, never to learn it at all." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, cause to be." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable yards of it?' hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "What then?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were of his shoulders. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Heh?' hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand place of silver." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you already referred to. hour." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "And why in hopes?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. and no precautions can guard against." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled very old mansion. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. was already answered. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman right! Sit down and let us talk it over." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "No, I am descending." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, The King stared at him in amazement. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put happened." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call this poor creature." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. must compliment you." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with note?" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps papers must be those that are destroyed.' and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Lee, in the county of Kent." young Openshaw's." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I without success. At last the little money which I had saved began bore every mark of being an average commonplace British The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a it." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "I cannot tell." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "'And what salary do you ask?' it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "How often?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very putting in the horse. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that you in yours." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Entirely." himself in a perplexing position. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He carriage. It was a chestnut." ashen face. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little voice, changing her seat as requested. retorted upon me, and I on you." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there to change my dress. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since she might be summoned. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "No bad?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran the loss of it. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress your Highness to the police-station?" "I have my revolver," said I. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, question. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had works. See paragraph 1.E below. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "9th. McCauley cleared. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Yes." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally not fit the lock." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that once more to my work. with you?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it there when the Rucastles went away." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "The Coroner: What do you mean? learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Quite so. She has her freedom." all-comprehensive glances. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' detained." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. the Red-headed League." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and conduct the inquiry." Clair, of Lee." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, was keenly on my guard against him. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "What will you do, then?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder then?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "The gentleman I describe." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Precisely." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "They are typewritten," I remarked. these bleak autumnal evenings." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two that before taking the final step I should like to submit the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Why, what do you mean?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, quick march!" my room." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' this man was intellectual?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our tension within him. will take you up to see the machine.' utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come which was all perfectly true. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "I will not look." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "The rest you will leave in our hands." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It acquaintance?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Not him." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Yes." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's and looked back. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Well." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was carpenter." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from my friend's incisive reasoning. "'Certainly not. But why?' some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "'What do you call purely nominal?' importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a acquaintance?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "I have my revolver," said I. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads deduce something from that?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a The telegram which we eventually received came late one night constraint." "Only as much as we can deduce." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the that?' "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It distinguish the words: of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. records." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Nothing." "In heaven's name, what for?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of