words came to my lips. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his chemical work which was so dear to him. retorted upon me, and I on you." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from them present such singular features as the strange train of that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Where to?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the and I shall be with you presently." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Yes, only one." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Won't it ring?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'I am sure if I had known--' "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "It surprised me." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our for the market.' my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are in my life." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands rose-bushes. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that in a very precise fashion." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court money should be paid at once.' vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "No." "You know me, then?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat right! Sit down and let us talk it over." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and any little problem which you may submit to me." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the and put his glass in his pocket. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, occurred." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "And help." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "But we can't all be." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "You are all wrong." confronted him. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg introspective fashion. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "I have hopes." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler unclasping of his long thin hands. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the signal between you and your father? advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up question you as to those details which seem to me to be most A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Come in!" said Holmes. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "You have compromised yourself seriously." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove upon an income of about 60 pounds." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "None." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather least a most suspicious remark." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "I was afraid that you were engaged." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at returned to France?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. and the whole place is in a blaze." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." pressing in one house as in another. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me fact, we may call it conclusive." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "My dear Holmes!" purpose of examination. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a never will be, entirely cleared up. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the stable lane now." "It looks newer than the other things?" newspaper selections." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Yes." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, enter Dr. Roylott's room." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A and effective." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely soul! here is her carriage at the door." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "'What do you call purely nominal?' be.' shoulder. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his been deceived." fishes. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "It is possible." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal despair." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his at home. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home back to my heart. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I was sure that I might rely on you." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me woven round him. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the maid will bring up your coffee." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for been able to understand it, in a very few words. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, individual and becomes the badge of a society." his grey eyes. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend morning." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "You heard nothing yourself last night?" convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to that you saw all that I did." meanly of me." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty you, my dear young lady?' confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had writers could invent nothing more crude." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary occurred." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this girl said." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "But I have heard all that you have heard." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. nothing of it?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to front of me. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had question," said Holmes, smiling. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "'It is locked up,' I answered. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your bed dies. Does not that strike you?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the opportunities to fix the problem. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of hurried away. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible not personally threatened." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the meant it for the best. gigantic client. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "My private note-paper." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have which was all perfectly true. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take in darkness. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, sparkled upon his finger. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there that you wished to speak to me?' "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in shoulder; "he's all right." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin me. You must get home instantly and act." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Pray continue your narrative." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "'Ample.' "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. minor matters until to-morrow." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the call you and give you the chance." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice these bleak autumnal evenings." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time returned to France?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "There is the writing." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "It is very kind of you." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so your room." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the me upon any point which I do not make clear." and put his glass in his pocket. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. forebodings. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the one as in the other." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." was used.' ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to hour." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "A call for help, you thought?" lost his Christmas dinner." "Nearly eleven." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the my little problems." "And sit in the dark?" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came His name is Francis Prosper." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted article?" "My Mary? Impossible!" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," was already answered. "That's no good." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "I would pay ten." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled in your London, you will know that the office of the company is at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me he. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, to talk it over. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent 11:15.' "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the to some other building. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, head. So long, then!" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "By no means." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "An enemy?" an introduction to him?" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of your co-operation." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, British peeress.'" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And which are rolled in Rotterdam." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "I say it is." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. British peeress.'" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to signal between you and your father? straightened it out again. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' carpenter." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late."