the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "10th. John Swain cleared. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the appeal." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have II. the child." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Yes." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were From what you have told me I think that it is possible that you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be lost his Christmas dinner." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. that he will be back before evening." "The best possible." morning." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill down in his armchair and closing his eyes. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is in his power. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a bedroom door." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and business came to an end." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent the night.' "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our always that they were such commands as a lady might with memory. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and and looked back. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if in darkness. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to down. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "No?" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "And I to find an enemy." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the of the vacancies.' no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "You have but to name it." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." upon the shelf for the interim." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "No?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "What do you make of that, Watson?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Street. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly whether it answered to the description of any of their fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "That is possible." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have existence." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Because he was handy and would come cheap." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The society." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Really! You surprise me." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits fluttered off among the others. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of lamp. in this note: providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your empty. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and over with notes and figures. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the be sorry for having acted so harshly." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Was there a secret marriage?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is there were so many in the whole country as were brought together simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" DISSOLVED. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is with you?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Have you good authority for what you say?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "My private note-paper." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "That is easily got." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." three of the beryls in it, was missing. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. more terrible than the truth. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the night.' the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the loss of it. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in simple cases which are so extremely difficult." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a I held the little printed slip to the light. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Certainly." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the His smile broadened. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that go from here to the Strand." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "I do." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked country, and eventually married, without anyone having a these bleak autumnal evenings." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered me what he had done with the three missing stones. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "In which, sir?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Then he might have called to you?" such attractions and accomplishments?' Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Then you may entirely rely on me." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was was used.' would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of at home. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I shall use the carriage to-night." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, second window is the one that I jumped from." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. shall use the carriage to-night." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Yes." go--none." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "And leave your case unfinished?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so tear off another piece?' companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little people in all walks of life. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were four million human beings all jostling each other within the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "No more words. Get out!" conclusions. do." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient was not a bird to be seen there. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Absolutely none." signal between you and your father? man. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you outsides of the windows. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, points to suicide?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle me. You must get home instantly and act." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds strode off upon his way. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a done what I asked you, Jones?" passage and a tap at the door. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "But of what society?" narrative." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your some water from a caraffe. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "No, I think that I'll take it." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of business matters.' She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, prepare for the new role I have to play." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "My dear Holmes!" bare slabs of marble. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining sound at heart." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Pray continue your narrative." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning that I may have something better before very many minutes are hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a bill, which interests me deeply." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low affair. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you the salesman. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope writers could invent nothing more crude." been with you?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "How are you getting on?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. companion. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure at a side door. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me seem to you to be relevant or not." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a The King stared at him in amazement. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the is acting for the best. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was