shag which I had seen upon the previous night. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss friend's singular character. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do such person." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our into the room. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said plantation.' to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "'Certainly not. But why?' empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I should be immensely obliged to you." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Were they all fastened this morning?" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you chemical work which was so dear to him. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "That was it, sir." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which all-comprehensive glances. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his neither fascinating nor artistic." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "What then?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Then I am your man." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never be.' Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "I think that I had better go, Holmes." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without her also." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "You don't mind breaking the law?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody singular points about the case. What did the police think of the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "In heaven's name, what for?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming door?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to o'clock is it?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "I will not look." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Why serious?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but III. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "It must be recovered." throat." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not out of this horrible affair." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot and put his glass in his pocket. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An before, for it was considerably after midnight. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that me have 200 pounds?' at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger words came to my lips. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I the inquest, and which are worth considering." cigars in their mouths. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Indeed! Whose, then?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and so.' at a side door. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered The telegram which we eventually received came late one night man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears formed some opinion?" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. least a most suspicious remark." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his Project Gutenberg-tm works. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and examination of the premises, but without finding anything which the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Stoke Moran." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Sholtos." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing this poor creature." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and them?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "The Coroner: What do you mean? a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Here?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he comes from the middle window." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last what these perils are?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Certainly." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' thought that she would have been so carried away." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Then, how do you know?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with delighted to hear it," he said. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Perfectly so." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' window when the police appeared." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the galvanised. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, have been better. It is all right." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a said Mr. Holder. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the take the flies, but not before." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your stood on the top of it. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been affair. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see down in his armchair and closing his eyes. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "'Certainly,' I answered. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the the stable lane now." yourselves in at night?" father's young wife. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "No legal papers or certificates?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father read over the extraordinary announcement. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is companion imperturbably. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be shall use the carriage to-night." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She heavy and sharp instrument." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his heavily into it. and no precautions can guard against." so far?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to you want, then?' disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing think that any burglar could have done. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been may never be exposed to such a temptation." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in depend upon my doing so.' sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor business?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. to some other building. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "And who is her maid?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' nothing of it?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which this truth that in these little records of our cases which you incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." depend upon my doing so.' bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such seven miles from Eyford Station.' there when the Rucastles went away." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but fled together." London for the present?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too away to you." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it me what he had done with the three missing stones. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other pierced for earrings?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as papers must be those that are destroyed.' observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my a very grave face. the side-table." the side-table." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland infinite languor in his face. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very which I could not give. He asked for Alice. the driver. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "And how did you verify them?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had indiscretion." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is chamber." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest way in everything. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his with frightened eyes at his accuser. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had furiously. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the three of the beryls in it, was missing. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "No. What a strange idea!" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. his cane at the bell-pull. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "'Where to?' he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it call for protection in the marriage market, for the present having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, was used.' Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Yes. He waved his hands." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs digesting their breakfasts at home." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, have accepted such a situation. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "It is half-past ten now." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that recover the gem." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "The landlord of the Alpha." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how *** START: FULL LICENSE *** eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he face and glided from the room. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would neither fascinating nor artistic." note?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are weary and pale-looking. there was no need for father to know." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of since then to throw any light upon what became of him." with you alone." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with populous neighbourhood." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in a very grave face. "Well, but China?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several again, where I was soon asleep. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "But we can't all be." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian made him keep the appointment." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet success. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on of fine shops and stately business premises that they really dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the exactly what you advise." national property. I was determined that the law should have its willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an about here speaks of his kindness to him." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an some mystery and the punishment of some crime." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than them present such singular features as the strange train of in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting have an American origin." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he second." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Cross for the Continent." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Absolutely none." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was look dissatisfied." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear indeed happy." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Will you go?" how narrow had been my escape. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "It certainly sounds feasible." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Yes, sir."