"A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "'Yes, I promise.' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "You think so, too?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are frequently gained my first real insight into the character of provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "What have you to say now?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "How did he come?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in your sleep?' "I have seen the police." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "If I can be of use." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while tension within him. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "None." to surprise her." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making the dangers which encompass me." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed least a fellow-countryman. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was details should find their way into the papers. Inspector your equipment. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which humiliation." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, is a common subject for conversation. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What burst out into a roar of laughter. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "There are none." ceremony." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion outside. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to it. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. astonishment. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Just look it up, then." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my companion. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, in his power. "That is unusual in a young girl." "Murdered?" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My floor. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. learned something! Where are the gems?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, recover the gem." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. where she found matters as described by the last witness. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of overpowering excitement and concern. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "On your arm?" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Yes, I have one waiting." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," strong reason behind." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your photograph?" other means.' you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. which our visitor detailed to us. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Pray continue your narrative." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. tell him that I know him to be innocent." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been papers diligently of late, have you not?" one of the states of the Union." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She amused." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Your presence might be invaluable." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital matter." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "So I am. Very much so." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" late!' quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the fear." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Your sister is dead, then?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "You don't mind breaking the law?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked of campaign. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Well, it is a possible supposition." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled one which it was hard to resist. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "'I am sure if I had known--' even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would question you as to those details which seem to me to be most a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction again, where I was soon asleep. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just footfalls from the street. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you an introduction to him?" carried out of court." results." sneer upon his pale face. him!" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We his face. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional there were one or two details which were new to me. But the daring than any effort of the imagination." "Frequently." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Precisely." companion quietly. south, for the country is more deserted there." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional the morning and make my own way in the world.' been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, morning." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "'Certainly not.' bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Was he the only applicant?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you together. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but fasten all the windows?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then look dissatisfied." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire and have this put in the evening papers." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Again Holmes raved in the air. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the away into the river." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. But Holmes shook his head gravely. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Street. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her wedding?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "'And what salary do you ask?' "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "By train from Waterloo." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" peculiar to him. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." must compliment you." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." in a friendly supper." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your tied." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so in your London, you will know that the office of the company is his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for have not had my rubber." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "You have a clue?" meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be have an American origin." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "The vanishing of the lady." key turn in the lock." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance wall." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Watson," he said cordially. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your night.' said he. "'What then?' I asked. Street. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. your equipment. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "And for present expenses?" "And Miss Sutherland?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "No." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "'I have already given you my word.' I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." window when the police appeared." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "On Monday." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some correct than the official force." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in went to the Alpha were town bred." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for served to weaken the effect. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I note?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not just called myself is not exactly my own." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "And you don't know his address?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that you give your casting vote to?" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler my special province." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. villagers almost as much as their master. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who key turn in the lock." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Not yet." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "On the contrary, this is the right side." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. row." "'Most admirably.' had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." kind enough to tell me what I should do." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my do you make of it all?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was it? Did I buy the geese off you?" charged with?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a forbidden door. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and examine." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Of what day?" "Which are?" call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "I think that I had better go, Holmes." his knees, staring into the fire. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have to Leatherhead. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the photograph?" "Yes, sir." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and I shall be with you presently." waste of energy." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, fait accompli?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to just called myself is not exactly my own." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that that?' to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you speckled band?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was see me here to avoid scandal." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Holmes.