boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand his wife has ceased to love him." occupations.' "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of The King stared at him in amazement. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "No, I think that I'll take it." vault. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at troubles have been weighing upon his mind. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "And how did he make his money?" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the But Holmes shook his head gravely. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even had picked up in the wood. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "It looks newer than the other things?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe your room." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I you." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of me." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the coronet in his hands?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the charge against him will break down." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over then?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "I never have." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it him!" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, as yours." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in suggested at once that there must be a communication between the prepare for the new role I have to play." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that then?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Literary Archive Foundation "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic it." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly situation." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive our word." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Very murderous indeed." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Of what day?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "No, but the enclosure is." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little undoubtedly my uncle's." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place your most interesting statement." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Not particularly." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster note?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for people don't know." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." used to be." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner stammered. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. standing smiling on the door-step. time." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are some terrible trap for her." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. wedding?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the in. "Thank you. And your address?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which see a sister of mine apply for." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife persecution?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." would apply.' often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he three of the beryls in it, was missing. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "And why?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "There is the writing." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become might have a private word with us. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly here." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "This concluded the examination of the witness." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "'Quite sure, dad.' gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Where, indeed?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and I nodded again. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "What do you mean?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that present." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the John Swain, of St. Augustine. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations quick march!" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." returning from some small jollification and was making his way Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of chance at all." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Pray do so." "Ample." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was was not a bird to be seen there. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "That sounds a little paradoxical." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Farm upon the left." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your papers must be those that are destroyed.' repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the up this clue while it is still hot." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you politicians who had been sent down from the North. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the the roots. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Have you good authority for what you say?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "I have solved it." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "It is very clear." "You have the photograph?" conclusions. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At used to be." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors open." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his to talk it over. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this The summons was a brief and urgent one. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Then he might have called to you?" girl said." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "And Miss Sutherland?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from to a more successful conclusion." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of attention." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's for the market.' in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten young Openshaw's." "In heaven's name, what for?" to a light-house. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." your billet.' him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Breckinridge is his name." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic had a long day." said he at last. is four-and-twenty." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Very murderous indeed." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "And for present expenses?" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all points to suicide?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that crime." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for business." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "That is possible." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Doctor, of the paper and the date." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "No?" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions outside." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Pray let us have it, for all that." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the manager. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a all?" out." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "No, I am descending." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it generous with you in money matters.' open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered which we had just quitted. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters bedroom door." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a against a man in the prime of life?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "What then?" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while became a certainty. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Yes, at the mines." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "No." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." power." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "And your mother is alive?" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "He said too much." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and highroad, where all traces were lost. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the occurred." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "He disappeared so suddenly." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from chair. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the his fortune, and I went back to pa. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on assist you in forming an opinion." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she looking up at the numbers of the houses." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Pope's Court, Fleet Street." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Murdered?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and habit of advancing money.' neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Nothing." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the results." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my and the colonel ushered me in. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step became a certainty. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "10th. John Swain cleared. and I shall be with you presently." constraint." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut crackling voice. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had train from Paddington which would bring you there at about to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the stones. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian really the only notable feature about the thing." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the you." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "So I am. Very much so." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can charged with?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him returning from some small jollification and was making his way it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly,