find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the strong reason behind." key of the affair now." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer maiden herself was most instructive." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual friend's singular character. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining I nodded again. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I purpose of examination. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "It is very clear." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Yes, from Horsham." "But what will you do?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing His name is Francis Prosper." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work constraint." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Have you her photograph?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I place no limit on the sum I may draw." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I do.' St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked better grown goose." returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "I am about to be married." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and to some other building. "What! You do not mean bodies?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "An enemy?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account chance." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "I shall most certainly do so." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could conversation I have gathered that they have been married about diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "And it is--" "I answered that I had not. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "You horrify me!" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "My photograph." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Holmes." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical their singular warning or token before them when starting upon zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." bird I ate is country bred." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and chair. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "She told me to ask you." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "The rest you will leave in our hands." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that brain must have something in it." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and down. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "No, my brougham is waiting." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not and capable of preserving a secret.' think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man just called myself is not exactly my own." me." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Well, but China?" page at http://pglaf.org to-night." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a carpenter." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "To an end?" the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "It was an hour's good drive." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Your French gold?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was friends, not even his own brother. stood on the top of it. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at over his head with a sweet womanly caress. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her dead, shall be safe with us." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a throat." "You have a clue?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs hour." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "My Mary? Impossible!" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "'I have already given you my word.' orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my carpenter." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." been with you?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Did your wife hear all this?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my for securing the situation." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "But how will you look?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "And what did you learn from him?" "I promise," said Holmes. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Cross for the Continent." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again him and tried to hold him back. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "No. His orders were to stay in the house." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the http://www.gutenberg.net that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was there has been an enclosure here!" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Then, how do you know?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very thirty. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout this truth that in these little records of our cases which you you for a few hours?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "And what did you learn from him?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose make me his representative both with the servants and with the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. in. "No?" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square crackling voice. "My opinion is in no way altered." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' thought that she would have been so carried away." as the one I chose?' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the awkward doing business with an alias." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Then I shall certainly come." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "I was mad--insane." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were he died? Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the conduct the inquiry." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Street. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "But how?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "And did you observe any change in her then?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." chambers. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "I cannot imagine." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of stood on the top of it. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Was there a secret marriage?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Then how many are there?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. gone before you can get him to hospital." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography prison!" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." next day. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the that there was nothing in it, after all." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there just called myself is not exactly my own." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and and wait." orange pips. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "I assure you that I am in your hands." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who events, Mr. Windibank!" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Then you may be so with me." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should sooner or later she must fall a victim. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the morning and make my own way in the world.' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Yes?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "By all means." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she with you alone." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent would then never go into court at all." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door ready to-morrow?' besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. floor. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" the bottom.' "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, kind enough to tell me what I should do." the roots. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "There is the writing." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after think, you have already met." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "You have a clue?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "To ruin me." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further mysterious business." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of of the vacancies.' "By no means." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" call you and give you the chance." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Have you her photograph?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, and no precautions can guard against." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." any more." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the driver. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Why? What do you mean?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." for its centre. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few