analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted see a sister of mine apply for." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. my friend's incisive reasoning. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of away into the river." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "So it appears." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Yes, that is the Crown." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at bore every mark of being an average commonplace British them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Holmes. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the this Miss Turner." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when chance." "Were they all fastened this morning?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Yes." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn coat-tails." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where to take care of herself." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Very much so." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "'There is a drive, then?' 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as fishes. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His 'please.'" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Indeed! Whose, then?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you *** START: FULL LICENSE *** a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. and your relations to her." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "I will, Miss Turner." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed speckled band?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are ashen face. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional success. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "What office?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Of what day?" thin legs towards the fire. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to matter over." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set plantation.' believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout someone who had been in Australia." persecution?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to keep the flames under. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of highly," said Holmes. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at that I can to serve you." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "'In my own bureau.' and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is of Fenchurch Street." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the fuss that is made over them." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in 'I should be able to look after that for you.' peculiar to him. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I at a side door. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in again." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "And how have you succeeded?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the paper in the air. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "My dear Holmes!" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Yes." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. were wasted." to tackle the facts." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Yes." strength." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the developed." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of I nodded to show that I had heard. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My matter." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "What have you done?" asked Holmes. as the one I chose?' for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune tear off another piece?' every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "What! a murderous attack?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just presented which may be striking and bizarre without being although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me who was a member of your goose club." bachelor.' "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." bird I ate is country bred." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their me, and I could not think that his explanation of the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it national property. I was determined that the law should have its "It certainly sounds feasible." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "And why?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "I cannot imagine." seven miles from Eyford Station.' battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into ordinary clothes on?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case noise which awoke you from your sleep?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that been lifted and conveyed somewhere." few hundred pounds.' "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a feature." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For night.' said he. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "I have a cab outside." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting should be taken.' no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Was he the only applicant?" nothing with him." "Then you may entirely rely on me." and that he would see to anything that turned up. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the which are rolled in Rotterdam." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his help us in this matter." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of John Swain, of St. Augustine. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two father's young wife. the inquest, and which are worth considering." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine throat." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "I am all attention, madam." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which before the coroner and the police-court." "It came here." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." congratulate you again." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of became a certainty. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, hereditary King of Bohemia." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' became a certainty. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain habit of advancing money.' reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know are, and they are waiting for us." "Then I do not see the point." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the lamp. "Have you her photograph?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey letters?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Certainly." upon the shelf for the interim." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Then he might have called to you?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "'Yes, it was gone.' the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this crowd. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Ha! you find it so?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler some terrible trap for her." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "He said too much." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We away to you." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He together. "'I am sure if I had known--' danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility papers on the sundial.'" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. hereditary King of Bohemia." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "'A dozen yards or so.' foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the not come at once?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster less than 26s. 4d. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Yes, I have one waiting." I was concerned in it." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which official police." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "'Never,' said I. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There spare." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Leadenhall Street--and--" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, returning from some small jollification and was making his way quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." The King stared at him in amazement. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap least a most suspicious remark." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." me. and capable of preserving a secret.' man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "What! You do not mean bodies?" "So I have heard." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." client, rising. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk door?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to hurried away. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back one or two very singular points about this room. For example, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "The Coroner: What do you mean? sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third to-night?' "And why in hopes?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." place of silver." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and was a loud and authoritative tap. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most himself to tell his story. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened gives a meaning to it." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt been shamefully used." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Then he might have called to you?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Indeed! Whose, then?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose lumber-room." "Entirely." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster said Mr. Holder. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" from you?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Stolen." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so were wasted." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they points in connection with it which never have been, and probably ordinary clothes on?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now,