"'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Yes, from Horsham." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, You want to know what became of those geese?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Really! You surprise me." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress to affect your life." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the putting in the horse. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "And how have you succeeded?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Your French gold?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. stood on the top of it. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the house with me." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour entirely devoid of interest." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We article?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "You have a clue?" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Will you bet, then?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Here?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you politicians who had been sent down from the North. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be village inn over there?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, important." a little more before I quite committed myself. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in and looked back. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your nice household for a young lady." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to shaken than I had ever seen him. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Well?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in me what he had done with the three missing stones. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to then?" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began we went to search for him, face downward in a little focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "In heaven's name, what for?" "I will try. What is it?" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his papers on the sundial.'" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." which it had come upon my father." "My photograph." Doctor, of the paper and the date." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that danger is over." The King stared at him in amazement. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Come in!" said Holmes. was a loud and authoritative tap. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over tassel actually lying upon the pillow. never to learn it at all." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the himself to hunt down. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "'I have heard so.' "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried placed his cuttings. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "And your mother is alive?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive forehead. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. quickly through a disagreeable task. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "You horrify me!" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you down. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it and I shall be with you presently." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining fasten all the windows?" carriage. It was a chestnut." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. lumber-room." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I than to us. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon address. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Where did he live, then?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "That also I could fathom." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very to have that photograph." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step such person." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive during that time.' "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in late!' maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently formed some opinion?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I begun to whiten, even as mine has." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' to tackle the facts." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news at my remark. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in there." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Countess of Morcar's?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, main points of my analysis." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my or other trace. But how on earth--" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been walking." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the cigars in their mouths. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "It may not come to that," said Holmes. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect get the tickets." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from forebodings. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. I nodded to show that I had heard. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "The rest you will leave in our hands." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said which our visitor detailed to us. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I of this gang." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave friends, not even his own brother. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "None." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. noble correspondent could be. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just fasten all the windows?" when your master had gone out." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Yes." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning bird of prey. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. even of instruction." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "I have hopes." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "But what will you do?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Sutherland?" "Thank you. And your address?" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Watson," he said cordially. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me to have that photograph." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it man. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "What office?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking about here speaks of his kindness to him." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her ordinary clothes on?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of weapon." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy room?" "I cannot think." noble correspondent could be. dramatic, in fact." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I in one or two places in England?' two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and his wife has ceased to love him." hour?' abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his article?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose take the flies, but not before." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. empty. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, strode off upon his way. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the him, that man would not have given me such complete information chamber." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his and that he would see to anything that turned up. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Breckinridge is his name." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Street. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not closely." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I you in your example." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had chambers. lamp in his hand. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, not within a twentieth part of the market price." him nearly every evening." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a 'please.'" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Street. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it horse could go." strode off upon his way. our word." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I better in every way that they should make their position a little silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Farm upon the left." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so conduct the inquiry." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away child?' "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Holmes' face clouded over. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "What then?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "The best possible." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' skylight. wedding?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to been deceived." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "And who is her maid?" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." sooner or later she must fall a victim. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "No legal papers or certificates?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "What is it, then--a fire?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend was once confined in the cab my mission was practically him to go away.' the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the them?" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter charged with?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Serpentine Avenue. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Is he quiet?"