why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could this truth that in these little records of our cases which you estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his morning." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money photograph?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "But how will you look?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "It is his hat." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no this remarkable episode. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "'Yes, it was gone.' phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Married! When?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "'And the work?' surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Holmes' room. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not rose-bushes. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Pray tell us what has happened to you." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Holmes' room. "I will do it." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "In which, sir?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly writer." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "'Certainly,' I answered. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into His name is Francis Prosper." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he telegram would bring me down to your help." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and you understand?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, be. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We were wasted." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." ready to-morrow?' lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "I am in hopes that she does." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! chambers. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to your billet.' "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "It is solved." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears entirely lost his self-respect." nonsense.' deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as II. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it until night should bring an explanation. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had as he folded up the epistle. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Stoke Moran." and your relations to her." was it brought him the coronet? front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will peculiar to him. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I families. Now for the facts. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at one else, I think." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's to-night?' or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "The best possible." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Yes." electronic works orange pips. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found unkempt, staring out at me. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "'Very good.' right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "But she could not love him." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at do.' America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by impression behind it as though a window had gently closed along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will dramatic, in fact." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Again Holmes raved in the air. could not have written that. It is the German who is so saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in directors have had misgivings upon the subject." to arrive at through this?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "By no means." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his chance." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Is he quiet?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were handed it to him. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold discontent upon his features. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "No, but the enclosure is." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he foresight and the moral retrogression?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in his face. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained room. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over manager. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush be sorry for having acted so harshly." "How did he come?" "Well, but China?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what in this note: this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "'Yes.' only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and of this gang." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Oh, fresh and glossy." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, speckled band?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "What?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "What! a murderous attack?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a notes," he said. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "This concluded the examination of the witness." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed village inn over there?" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands three fields round his house, and there he would take his "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in neither fascinating nor artistic." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. them?" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, to Leatherhead. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building once more for Briony Lodge. Holmes. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old security.' paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "A client, then?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was examine." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. had formerly been in part my own. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said think that any burglar could have done. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, approach us with offers to donate. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "'I have already given you my word.' "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in read it out to me." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my and the colonel ushered me in. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to comes from the middle window." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the on re-entering her father's house?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which fait accompli?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is humiliation." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Here?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Certainly." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to lids now and glanced across at his visitor. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are into the bag, and made for the door. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Sutherland?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either this unhappy family?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than be best to do. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the coronet in his hand?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as 1.F. are, and they are waiting for us." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "But what harm can there be in that?" "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said help us in this matter." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Yes, sir." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "No more words. Get out!" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. in one or two places in England?' end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a presented which may be striking and bizarre without being particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange business came to an end." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers his face which made him a very different person to the round, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and again on its way. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "And for present expenses?" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "She told me to ask you." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary which are rolled in Rotterdam." eat it." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I drawing your inferences." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely taking in every detail of the apartment. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own details should find their way into the papers. Inspector be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss so far?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate train.' permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the an introduction to him?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." arrangements." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce