cigars in the box." like gravel from a pit.' "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in nothing with him." "Here?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both noble correspondent could be. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and think that any burglar could have done. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Just look it up, then." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure My friend smiled. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the kindly on the shoulder. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. to some other building. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom him nearly every evening." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a so far?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which the inquest, and which are worth considering." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "It is very clear." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "It surprised me." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of followed. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "The doctor?" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Nothing?" to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this out." presented more singular features than that which was associated than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "No more words. Get out!" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. face and glided from the room. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "'And what are they worth?' I asked. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in grasp, he hurried from the room. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was assist you in forming an opinion." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and before the coroner and the police-court." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some fat-encircled eyes. salesman. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "And sit in the dark?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his you." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I desk. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned before the coroner and the police-court." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "How did you trace it, then?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Then, how do you know?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid present." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "But he might be a bachelor." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about for its centre. had picked up in the wood. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may I. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock despaired of." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Was your sister dressed?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, such attractions and accomplishments?' to a more successful conclusion." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass leave you to your papers for a little." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "It missed him, then?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "But I have heard all that you have heard." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "But who is he?" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace people in all walks of life. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the how narrow had been my escape. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Come in!" said he. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he sufficient punishment." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to congenial hunt. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave golden eyeglasses. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "We were both in the photograph." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the coroner come to?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the where she found matters as described by the last witness. highly," said Holmes. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring This is what he says: go back?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. notes," he said. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his room?" third from London." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is retorted upon me, and I on you." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated touch that coronet?' "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "'Where could I find him?' front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always and inquire as to the address." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his she has been waylaid. There has been no result." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss matter." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a to-night?' dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook sparkled upon his finger. said he. at home. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "How long did she speak to this Alice?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. stood on the top of it. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "My dear Holmes!" "Come in!" said Holmes. "The Cedars?" "No, I am descending." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "I would give my fortune to have them back." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away and have this put in the evening papers." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do name is different." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and must be when I saw the door open.' Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, read over the extraordinary announcement. "'Yes, sir.' house for five minutes.' afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he despair." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my second window is the one that I jumped from." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some fire. You quite follow me?" hardly wander." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "The knees of his trousers." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Nor running a chance of arrest?" and put his glass in his pocket. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be lectures into a series of tales." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "'I have heard so.' For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon points in connection with it which never have been, and probably waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for main points of my analysis." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" interested in these little problems, and since you are good attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the 11:15.' purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a a very grave face. you came in." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small neither fascinating nor artistic." "The Coroner: What do you mean? provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Ha! you find it so?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "But how?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "On Monday." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the said I. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "What! Had he lost his wife?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the following enigmatical notices: Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church and effective." depend upon your compliance." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer locked." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "I do." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than not personally threatened." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "We must sit without light. He would see it through the and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. advice." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that records." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "By no means." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Really! You surprise me." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the will be renamed. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "I answered that I had not. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague my room." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." McCarthy's innocence. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven bill, which interests me deeply." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a orange pips. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. maiden herself was most instructive." standing smiling on the door-step. "And what did you learn from him?" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "I cannot think." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have nights." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" remarked. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported question," said Holmes, smiling. dramatic, in fact." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the companion. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Witness: It was. "But how?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can chambers. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Really! You surprise me." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a strength." the stable lane now." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very questionable one." the inner apartment." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that your room." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I should be immensely obliged to you." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for and the whole place is in a blaze." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Did he not advertise?" follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one 1.F. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Street. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the stood on the top of it. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his to have been novel and of interest." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "But it has twice been burgled." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for into the bag, and made for the door. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry