"What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "There is the writing." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Not I." in the port of London." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the sufficient punishment." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a been able to understand it, in a very few words. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "What, then?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "I guessed as much." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Why did you pick him?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great introspective fashion. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon think you a quite exceptional woman." get the tickets." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather I took the paper from him and read as follows: savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." behind me. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and soul! here is her carriage at the door." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster but preventing her from injuring another. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." case before our client came into the room." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Eyford at 11:15.' Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "I don't believe it." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and some mystery and the punishment of some crime." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "At half-wages, in fact." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. peculiar to him. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "And you thought he was pulled back?" "At what time?" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I ago." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Where, indeed?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "I promise," said Holmes. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Then I do not see the point." "Witness: Nothing definite. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." new duties?' I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that round and wave him away like that.' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case had no one to advise her at such a crisis." in this way: "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A in this note: in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary all that?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all meant it for the best. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "You did not overhear what they said?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet absorbing." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting should be so warm over such a trifle." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, other lovers by making love himself." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, particular state visit http://pglaf.org cigar and let me expound." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Bought." delighted to hear it," he said. Holmes rather sternly. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Murdered?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "'Certainly,' I answered. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried when your master had gone out." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save instituted." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which skylight. might have a private word with us. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Pool. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window upon a handsome competence. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the interested in these little problems, and since you are good Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by will he say when he returns?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? out of this horrible affair." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Sutherland. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "In answer to an advertisement." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the best of training." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "You have carte blanche." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Holmes rather sternly. "How often?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the heavily into it. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" miles off. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "But he might be a bachelor." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Nothing?" the best of training." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few to his chemical studies. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "It must be recovered." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all meant." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "You have but to name it." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, least a most suspicious remark." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "And help." must compliment you." again before evening." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already is acting for the best. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "How about poison?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the for the market.' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to will take you up to see the machine.' you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Two days later this same performance was gone through under entirely lost his self-respect." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "I cannot tell." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "And when will you call?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk passage and a tap at the door. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these again before evening." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon strength." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "What!" he roared. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." Sutherland. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the his forehead." "And Miss Sutherland?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per been lifted and conveyed somewhere." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and was already answered. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the station." "Nothing." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Serpentine Avenue. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a only touch the interest." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR From what you have told me I think that it is possible that there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he affair. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, forebodings. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which papers on the sundial.'" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of train from Paddington which would bring you there at about is so. I know all about McCarthy." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Then how many are there?" in darkness. think that he is innocent?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "'There is a drive, then?' "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be as he remarks, very much against the son." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "And is that all?" bachelor.' ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed most interesting one." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which instincts rose up against that laugh. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Yes?" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" you?' the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a his grey eyes. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you vague figure huddled up in the darkness. followed. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "No. What a strange idea!" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near away to you." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind mysterious business." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the charge against him will break down." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "The decline of his fortunes, then?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his characteristics, but those are the more obvious." closely." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of make me his representative both with the servants and with the people in all walks of life. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the heavily into it. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Yes." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "'Certainly not. But why?' have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for and glanced through. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm behind me. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "'About the same.' "My private note-paper." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "What have you done?" asked Holmes. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "What then?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Gutenberg-tm License. "But who is he?" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be for its centre. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid it right.' his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. from the brougham. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo recover the gem." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon bird I ate is country bred." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to and the whole place is in a blaze." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Upon what point?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, will he say when he returns?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, matter." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "'Quite sure, dad.' question," said Holmes, smiling. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he a monotonous occupation." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "'Where to?' "Then I am your man." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "And is that all?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "It certainly sounds feasible." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Stolen." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from the tragedy. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the