"'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I better grown goose." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "I should wish to." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I tell them apart.' side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction back to my heart. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, I nodded to show that I had heard. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went as he folded up the epistle. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other noting anything else of interest. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I me what he had done with the three missing stones. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of strength in the others." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "'Not at all. I only doubt--' flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad felt?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "It is his hat." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "It is solved." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Street. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he carpenter." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to appeal." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. it were putty." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was it. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent enter into my head. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I might help us?" but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and introspective fashion. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he bird I ate is country bred." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his certainly do as you advise." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "It must be recovered." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "And how did you find out?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "At what time?" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger in. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will how narrow had been my escape. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to mystery." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous shoulder; "he's all right." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in and inquire as to the address." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search train from Paddington which would bring you there at about course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage fatally injured? like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were chemical work which was so dear to him. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Of what day?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just quickly through a disagreeable task. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From will not take me long to tell. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Tired-looking or fresh?" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day about here speaks of his kindness to him." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler his huge brown hands. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That must compliment you." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that window when the police appeared." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his my friend's incisive reasoning. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. weapon." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every door?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps legal crime." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "What shall I do?" overpowering excitement and concern. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks hereditary King of Bohemia." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for friends, not even his own brother. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to late." "Eh? What was that?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Where is it, then?" lectures into a series of tales." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I three fields round his house, and there he would take his man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Street. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the recover the gem." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Why? What do you mean?" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "And why?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Will you bet, then?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Again Holmes raved in the air. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "But your client--" do." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and there is a decided draught." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right outside." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Doctor, of the paper and the date." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and pierced for earrings?" that there was nothing in it, after all." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or occupations.' License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low of Mr. Rucastle's." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose congratulate you again." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case asked. despair." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "'Certainly,' I answered. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "How about poison?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my mystery!" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. could not have written that. It is the German who is so status with the IRS. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." clang of the bell. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised whatever might befall. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of of receipt of the work. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, back alive. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not intrusion of other matters." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair arrested. You then--" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions mystery." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Yes, at the mines." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still your only hope of safety." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Then he might have called to you?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises his cane at the bell-pull. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter went to the Alpha were town bred." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and indeed happy." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his wedding?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. during that time.' Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the colour had been driven from his face. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." it right.' Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" for and were ordered to this address. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Dr. Gregory B. Newby "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "I would pay ten." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "But how?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness there was no need for father to know." "'It is locked up,' I answered. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Eyford." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he telegram would bring me down to your help." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal whatever might befall. "Well, it is a possible supposition." carpenter." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Foundation pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." suddenly upon us." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "My dear Holmes!" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "No legal papers or certificates?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the coroner come to?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call this Miss Turner." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in as the one I chose?' you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, You want to know what became of those geese?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in approach us with offers to donate. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most right! Sit down and let us talk it over." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a out." your co-operation." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do your Highness to the police-station?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey not within a twentieth part of the market price." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very