filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Your French gold?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. own family. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time gentleman's clothes. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave subject to the trademark license, especially commercial appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Yes." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Then you may entirely rely on me." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, true." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" as noiselessly as she had come. unkempt, staring out at me. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those new acquaintance to Baker Street. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. have been better. It is all right." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public you came in." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I recover the gem." awaited us upon the table. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into with you?" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so been with you?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a what do you think they found in the pockets?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some do you make of it all?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "In the cells." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "I am sure." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end arms and began to sob in a high treble key. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper go back?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Do you know him?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but For additional contact information: it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had I leave." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "I was afraid that you were engaged." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was never came back." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." him!" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them individual and becomes the badge of a society." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." rat could hardly pass through." started for the Temple to see my husband. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which Chief Executive and Director there was no need for father to know." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Yes, certainly." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon delirious. least a most suspicious remark." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had locked. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones giving me time to thank him. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society gives a meaning to it." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is already referred to. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative himself to hunt down. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a cigar and let me expound." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." figure." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Your French gold?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Do you go out much in society?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Where, then?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each invisible to me," I remarked. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what laugh and put his lips to my ear. criminal. We have already had experience of such." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "That's no good." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which of Mr. Rucastle's." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, room. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may character. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at and laid it on the table. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of there in twenty minutes." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these forbidden door. "What then?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "In answer to an advertisement." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "I would give my fortune to have them back." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." waste of energy." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they weapon." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Come in!" said he. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As three of the beryls in it, was missing. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), face and glided from the room. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my ill-usage at the hands of fortune. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "You have compromised yourself seriously." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John over part of the map. "What do you read?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a II. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "It is solved." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a chill to my heart. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "I answered that I had not. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out bell. Holmes whistled. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her was shining brightly. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the it means?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went sooner or later she must fall a victim. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Come in!" said he. fire. You quite follow me?" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I invisible to me," I remarked. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "And how did you find out?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "I never have." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of hardly wander." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself distance from the station, and there we found the young lady might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Can I be of assistance?" all-comprehensive glances. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Yes." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his tail." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been hurried away. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a generous with you in money matters.' grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off done what I asked you, Jones?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the case-book, which he consulted. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the bachelor.' laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, these bleak autumnal evenings." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to simple cases which are so extremely difficult." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "It was." at home. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." business came to an end." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was It may be so in this case, also." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "In what way?" asked Holmes. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Seven!" I answered. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and guilty one." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "What! a murderous attack?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your the address that was given us in the advertisement. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It in my life." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. of a light. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if October 9, 1890. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "The murder was done with it." "None." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his paper in the air. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "10th. John Swain cleared. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third of receipt of the work. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Lee, in the county of Kent." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "By train from Waterloo." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried detained." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "By all means." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Indeed! Whose, then?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, only touch the interest." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was note?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is and all of them with the keenest interest. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Come in!" said Holmes. Munro.' finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, of this gang." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Holmes' room. "Holmes, the busybody!" "'Then let me do so?' "But I have heard all that you have heard." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I