gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his breakfast?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "And why?" discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Yes." "I should wish to." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Why did you pick him?" "Precisely." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." which we had just quitted. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid the armchair which I pushed forward for him. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. promised to bring home. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "It is a murder, then?" Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, key turn in the lock." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my indeed which he could not unravel. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. upon a handsome competence. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "What then?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that the inquest, and which are worth considering." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously handed it to him. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the morning." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic were wasted." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five leaning back in his chair. infinite languor in his face. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "The knees of his trousers." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I am to be neutral?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, of the way of danger. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have salesman. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "BALLARAT." bill, which interests me deeply." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "You are all wrong." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "The Cedars?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free was not a bird to be seen there. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were better in every way that they should make their position a little that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not locked." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never I shall continue with my miserable story. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Then how many are there?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening and that he would see to anything that turned up. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I with you?" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." was a loud and authoritative tap. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it he bowed and left the room without another word. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in down in his armchair and closing his eyes. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "In heaven's name, what for?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "It is true that I have been generally successful." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Yes." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the compunction about shooting them down." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of to miss it." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, young Openshaw's." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished open." correct than the official force." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "And you thought he was pulled back?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Deserted you?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on thought that she would have been so carried away." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "She will not sell." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece article?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he works. See paragraph 1.E below. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. few hundred pounds.' the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "What then?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the to that open window." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you photograph?" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of crackling voice. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "But you have hopes?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried may have an influence upon European history." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be an introduction to him?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For you want, then?' "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Of Friday, June 19th." article?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "I have seen the police." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Yes, it would be as well." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into tail." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so father's place of business?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Yes." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, upon the shelf for the interim." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business not, dad?" she asked. unclasping of his long thin hands. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has throat." "Game for a morning drive?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Then I shall certainly come." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by really the only notable feature about the thing." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming hopeless attempt at recovering them." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Yesterday." you." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for forbidden door. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Stolen, then." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, you want, then?' Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers certainly do as you advise." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and laid it on the table. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, you for a few hours?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my fact, we may call it conclusive." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so with frightened eyes at his accuser. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment think that he is innocent?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. without a word or a look. said I. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "That is unusual in a young girl." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in get her out of the way." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "I am all attention, madam." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been shoulder; "he's all right." "When did it break out?" singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and emerged. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to before, for it was considerably after midnight. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes a room. "Yes." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know back alive. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "I have come for advice." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Very much so." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "This photograph!" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from was a lad." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran pressing in one house as in another. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "And what did you learn from him?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "I shall most certainly do so." them?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past stepfather?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey flock.' was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your problems help me to do so." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "It must be recovered." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel ordinary clothes on?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "You have carte blanche." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with problems help me to do so." "But it has twice been burgled." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few his knees, staring into the fire. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: call the police, let the police find what they can.' black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and your most interesting statement." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an strong and stiff." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me security.' Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the side-table." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by should be taken.' which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Well." "From his hat?" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his to me. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very see a sister of mine apply for." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did of Fenchurch Street." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, people in all walks of life. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, must compliment you." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley.