conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of said he at last. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "None." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Eyford at 11:15.' This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Well, but China?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your and your relations to her." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you October 9, 1890. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "From his hat?" said he. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Have you it here?" the Red-headed League." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "It's nothing of the kind." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in envelope. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "No. What a strange idea!" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him prison!" name is different." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what hour?' observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "No. His orders were to stay in the house." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its compunction about shooting them down." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. developed." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat giving me time to thank him. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email late!' not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural enter Dr. Roylott's room." infinite languor in his face. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through observed. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to go--none." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Why did you pick him?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. upon an income of about 60 pounds." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Munro.' "Nothing." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "And the cigar-holder?" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "So I am. Very much so." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the morning and make my own way in the world.' "I cannot as yet see any connection." it were putty." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent good-night and bustled off upon her way. walking." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "That is unusual in a young girl." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may newspaper selections." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Yes, they were peculiar boots." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. breakfast." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "So I heard. You have him here?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself arrested. You then--" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their emerged. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to whole matter to your consideration." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be of receipt of the work. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet chill to my heart. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of gone. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "And from a noble client?" Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must security.' "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Did he not advertise?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending already been minutely examined." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece ready to-morrow?' "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Have you it here?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Proceed, then." "'Then let me do so?' to his chemical studies. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Yes." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "And for present expenses?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Not yet." "Have you it here?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "He slept on the premises." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is it right.' "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'Entirely.' her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though of his shoulders. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed British peeress.'" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge felt the room to be a little close.' "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Awake, Watson?" he asked. nothing of it?" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "One of the highest in England." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Not I." indeed which he could not unravel. "Tired-looking or fresh?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Lee, in the county of Kent." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you jewels which you have stolen?' any little problem which you may submit to me." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It time." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the Friday. Was it to be in church?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied straighten it?" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "I don't believe it." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "My private note-paper." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think burst out into a roar of laughter. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy their singular warning or token before them when starting upon away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and asked. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, one which it was hard to resist. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this certainly do as you advise." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "What! a murderous attack?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All you." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "You think so, too?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Where to?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a hands. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair three fields round his house, and there he would take his where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "And leave your case unfinished?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Not particularly." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my second." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, happened." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "My last client of the sort was a king." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That answered with a sidelong glance. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an instincts rose up against that laugh. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Yes, all." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm o'clock is it?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "I think that it is very probable." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor arms and began to sob in a high treble key. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "But how did you gain them?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but held up the lantern and gazed about him. next day. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of congenial hunt. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the child?' "Yes." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an confronted him. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." shall use the carriage to-night." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "No?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Yes." in a friendly supper." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every arrested. You then--" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "I am in hopes that she does." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I have been better. It is all right." "By all means." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" people don't know." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "I cannot imagine." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'What then?' I asked. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, in a very precise fashion." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black the morning and make my own way in the world.' he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "What is it, then--a fire?" success. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making little adventures." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to investigation." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "In heaven's name, what for?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will me what he had done with the three missing stones. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, again." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and his huge brown hands. directors, with the result that you have seen." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Then I do not see the point." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." the station." about. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "In what way?" asked Holmes. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of were new raised from a basin. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, are, I think, all that we need." "The gentleman I describe." I am not easy in my mind about them." any little problem which you may submit to me." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Will you bet, then?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did in your London, you will know that the office of the company is foresight and the moral retrogression?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time stalked out of the room. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang within hail.' he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Where is it, then?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "No. His orders were to stay in the house." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, may never be exposed to such a temptation." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "'How far from the body?' nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Serpentine Avenue. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Where to?" "In the cells." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend weary and pale-looking. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to any." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope been lifted and conveyed somewhere." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Leadenhall Street--and--" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place money should be paid at once.' address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire