only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "It is half-past ten now." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "No, but the enclosure is." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your affection." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that until night should bring an explanation. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "No good news?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that cheerful." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the with you?" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "I have hopes." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "And what did you see?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "What, then?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "You are all wrong." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "And why in hopes?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of one of them." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Then I shall certainly come." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just friend's singular character. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "'I am sure if I had known--' unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." she used." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Ample." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "How can you tell that?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." charged with?" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found annoyance, but no jest. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no thin legs towards the fire. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have opened a pocket-book and took out a note. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all telegram would bring me down to your help." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Precisely." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I do." wedding?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up hour." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Where, then?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "She will not sell." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Did your wife hear all this?" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "It must be recovered." "She walked into the breakfast-room." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "I don't say that. Perhaps." "From his hat?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still wedding?" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' from the brougham. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." a very grave face. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not of your young ladies.' "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" danger is over." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp him, that man would not have given me such complete information loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his morning." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "'Yes, I promise.' which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "What office?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." door?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are believe that I should never have any practice at all. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Have you good authority for what you say?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his province." my secret was safe in his possession. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Stolen." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler served to weaken the effect. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I there is a decided draught." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "I am in hopes that she does." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. these bleak autumnal evenings." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of ashen face. think, you have already met." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel ill-usage at the hands of fortune. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. residence of the great financier. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Why did you pick him?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs once more for Briony Lodge. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you ran thus: constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with other means.' Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "I have seen the police." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "At half-wages, in fact." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." him to be an active member of the medical profession." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and hour?' boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, III. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "And sit in the dark?" fat-encircled eyes. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of the loss of it. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an carried out of court." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "What can it mean?" I gasped. here and I will read it to you: shall use the carriage to-night." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "It is possible." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "He said too much." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Where is it, then?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, relief. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "In San Francisco, a year ago." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that entirely lost his self-respect." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "The rest you will leave in our hands." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it shoulder; "he's all right." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" straighten it?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, morning." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what From what you have told me I think that it is possible that lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "I think that it is very probable." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At handed it to him. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Really! You surprise me." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "But he might be a bachelor." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I am armed." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "I say that I have solved it." my friend's incisive reasoning. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by make me his representative both with the servants and with the forbidden door. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "'Then let me do so?' "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case cigars in their mouths. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; in this way: Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." or in danger--" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in I am not easy in my mind about them." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing occurred." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and matter." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "In heaven's name, what for?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "I don't believe it." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate skylight. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those words came to my lips. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late his grey eyes. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next questionable one." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they breakfast?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "'Why that?' I asks. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "And is that all?" passage and a tap at the door. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able there." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught brain must have something in it." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I fashion which was peculiar to him. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began third from London." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the This is what he says: however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it companion imperturbably. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly occupations.' calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Literary Archive Foundation would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and strength of mind to control. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "We have tried and failed." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Quite so." that you saw all that I did." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, desk. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical if I call to-morrow?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the inner apartment." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of see a sister of mine apply for." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our is a common subject for conversation. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Yes." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "My photograph." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in all that?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I sentimental considerations in the background which would induce leaning back in his chair. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a things are very often connected not with the larger but with the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her