chamber." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several man. I know him from the photograph." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want south, for the country is more deserted there." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first lectures into a series of tales." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an the stones. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington this poor creature." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "No. His orders were to stay in the house." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. the inquest, and which are worth considering." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies until night should bring an explanation. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which she used." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is the devil!" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have ordinary clothes on?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a indeed which he could not unravel. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked side. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Yes, it was twisted." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Yes. He waved his hands." Dr. Gregory B. Newby "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch is worth.' "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an guilty parties." to a more successful conclusion." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' a little more before I quite committed myself. floor. and looked back. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and examine." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing business?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always problems help me to do so." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It at my remark. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Come in!" said he. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes and that he would see to anything that turned up. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside questioning and rather startled gaze. said he. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." developed." "Yes, all." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "My stepfather's business papers." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he answer." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly I leave." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "It surprised me." suddenly upon us." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "What do you mean?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for unprecedented a position." the window, rose as we entered. "A greater distance to travel." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Come in!" said Holmes. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "How can you tell that?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could meanly of me." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "It was an hour's good drive." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "I have come for advice." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Yes." bill, which interests me deeply." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to national property. I was determined that the law should have its it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Nothing." "To an English lawyer named Norton." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in as the one I chose?' "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss key turn in the lock." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between over his head with a sweet womanly caress. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Of what?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my face and glided from the room. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. than was visible to me." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the to have that photograph." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may then?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "'There is a drive, then?' you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, anything to do with the matter?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the so-precious time, but come!' the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main the station." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in standing smiling on the door-step. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, the date of his supposed suicide." "It is true that I have been generally successful." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a occupations.' his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole and have this put in the evening papers." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their companion. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his in his power. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "I was sure that I might rely on you." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship signal between you and your father? I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of of it with the greatest attention. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, you." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Street. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "But how?" "In heaven's name, what for?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your dead, shall be safe with us." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Holmes." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when October 9, 1890. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but and the church but not where the lady lived." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not round and wave him away like that.' "'How far from the body?' until night should bring an explanation. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Stoke Moran." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "No." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "I would give my fortune to have them back." written, and locked the door of the office after me. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of occupations.' have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine said I. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an room?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that colonel looking down at me. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." fire. You quite follow me?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "That was it, sir." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which his face. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that papers on the sundial.'" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would one else, I think." "Precisely." "This photograph!" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the loss of it. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very You want to know what became of those geese?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "This photograph!" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both appeal." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter question. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, something of him before." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a all?" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Yes, I have one waiting." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Stolen, then." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not be sorry for having acted so harshly." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Pope's Court. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable you found me to-night--and running through the front room she prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "'In my own bureau.' it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "I will, Miss Turner." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, and capable of preserving a secret.' face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because keep the flames under. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "'Stolen!' he cried. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what less than 26s. 4d. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "The vanishing of the lady." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Tired-looking or fresh?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the King without delay." "You think that he is dead?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her directors have had misgivings upon the subject." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been jewels which you have stolen?' frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "He said too much." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was papers must be those that are destroyed.' all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." man. and the church but not where the lady lived." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your sake, don't!" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" happened." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy developed." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor your billet.' compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you to arrive at through this?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "And I say east," said my patient. "It came here." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the never came back." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "But not more so than I to find you." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The of fine shops and stately business premises that they really every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very do." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "May I see it?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House window when the police appeared." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know unclasping of his long thin hands. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black was shining brightly. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Breckinridge is his name." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the dear old homesteads?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Literary Archive Foundation of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "It is his hat." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and she might be summoned. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "There is the writing." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have towards the blaze. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "It was an hour's good drive." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered guilty parties." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in as yours." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few meant it for the best. of Fenchurch Street." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "'Yes.' "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Holmes rather sternly. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but and your relations to her." "And how did you find out?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and begin with, and I had not got mine yet." over with notes and figures. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who following enigmatical notices: