really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Chief Executive and Director snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the article?" even of instruction." "So I have heard." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan it." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "The murder was done with it." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the too. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot once more. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Well?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Where, indeed?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten whereabouts. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "You think that he is dead?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Have you good authority for what you say?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer society." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Of what day?" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain to have been novel and of interest." the morning and make my own way in the world.' unclasping of his long thin hands. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Very truly yours, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "But how could you guess what the motive was?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "If so, much may have happened between." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. I. next day. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Whose house is it?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so trying to your nerves." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but that the matter." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "You don't mind breaking the law?" occupations.' "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." learned something! Where are the gems?" and all of them with the keenest interest. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" cigar and let me expound." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Nothing?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." pierced for earrings?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable his knees, staring into the fire. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew October 9, 1890. "No, my brougham is waiting." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "When did she vanish, then?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Of what day?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his as the one I chose?' I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "What can it mean?" I gasped. touch that coronet?' "What I expected to see." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must call you and give you the chance." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "How do you know, then?" my special province." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or character. light and attacked it." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand make me his representative both with the servants and with the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "That is easily got." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." point in the dark hollow of his hand. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "The gentleman I describe." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Have you her photograph?" the little opening for the ventilator is." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "And why in hopes?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is orange pips. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the to have that photograph." "Whose house is it?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and mystery!" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. chance." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Witness: It was. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "It surprised me." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still through." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a *** START: FULL LICENSE *** though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "When did she vanish, then?" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen fait accompli?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the roots. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Very murderous indeed." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's them?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Yes." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle was the fact that his father should, according to his account, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. him!" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Yes." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I had picked up in the wood. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The in. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his ago." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his appeared upon the scene." skylight. key turn in the lock." what I may call a really hard day's work." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the some water from a caraffe. happened." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very these bleak autumnal evenings." "I shall be delighted." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my companion. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion notes," he said. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. that you wished to speak to me?' dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing her also." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of against a man in the prime of life?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." as the one I chose?' difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Ha! you find it so?" public press." in his power. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "It is solved." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same front of me. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, and looked back. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the purpose of examination. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the quite distinctive." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "No. What a strange idea!" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not be sorry for having acted so harshly." me." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "My opinion is in no way altered." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in the dangers which encompass me." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing sentimental considerations in the background which would induce from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to people don't know." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, your billet.' the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "It is true that I have been generally successful." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Yes, I have one waiting." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "But you have hopes?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the together. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." fled together." "You horrify me!" father's young wife. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in giving me time to thank him. lumber-room." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Absolutely?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that or other trace. But how on earth--" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment depend upon my doing so.' the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "I will do it." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you with the outside air!" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Pray let us have it, for all that." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." carriage. It was a chestnut." gone. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but chamber." "'Yes, it was gone.' mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it stammered. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "At what time?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that families. Now for the facts. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Which surely he restored to their owner?" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just handed it to him. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Yes, he did." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and had this final quarrel? handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his that, and I came down." the inner apartment." following enigmatical notices: ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "'Certainly not.' grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "'What would be the hours?' I asked. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now himself to tell his story. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax help us in this matter." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can him nearly every evening." there!' which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "No." envelope.