fait accompli?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by second window is the one that I jumped from." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa threw himself down with his face to the pillow. London for the present?" Farm upon the left." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Munro.' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "One of the highest in England." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Never." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers papers on the sundial.'" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into not fit the lock." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the very letters. But what is this written above them?' and a shock of very red hair. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I are windows in it, of course?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much whole matter to your consideration." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." fled together." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and not, dad?" she asked. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "I think it very unlikely." to-night?' blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he yards of it?' breakfast?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Yes." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the night.' "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' as this. Pray let me have the details." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the forecastle of an emigrant ship. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My wanted for ourselves." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, passage and a tap at the door. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was so.' tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "And help." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Texas, I think." back alive. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, telegram would bring me down to your help." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "I am armed." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Do you go out much in society?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could signal between you and your father? with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly happened." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Then I do not see the point." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "'And what salary do you ask?' "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Where, indeed?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in me. You must get home instantly and act." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies of note-paper. It read in this fashion: the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Where does the thing come from?' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the this remarkable episode. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "An enemy?" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am very morning of my second wedding." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "'As governess?' like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Yes, at the mines." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "'Yes, sir.' and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Yes, sir." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, burst out into a roar of laughter. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Not in a good cause." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "'Where to?' would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into could go. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and foresight and the moral retrogression?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Yesterday." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "I have hopes." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the Red-headed League." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Why did you pick him?" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Well." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide had picked up in the wood. "And why?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "In heaven's name, what for?" "My photograph." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "When did she vanish, then?" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I that he will be back before evening." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have asked. "I think that it is very probable." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "In heaven's name, what for?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Where to?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the trifles." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" this remarkable episode. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the During two years I have had three consultations and one small My friend smiled. any more." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot all that?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty what these perils are?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "But what is it you wish?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "What do you make of that, Watson?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "VIOLET HUNTER." before the coroner and the police-court." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you forbidden door. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "No bad?" other lovers by making love himself." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Sholtos." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched down from London to inquire more deeply into it." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "My photograph." "He is still with you, I presume?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. will be renamed. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must his wife has ceased to love him." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Imitated." "I do." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Yes, he did." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "'Is purely nominal.' Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting States. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform business at Coburg Square is serious." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "And how did you find out?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their villagers almost as much as their master. address. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea main points of my analysis." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "No sign of it?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced astonishment. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Breckinridge is his name." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this with frightened eyes at his accuser. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her do.' a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "One of his hands." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "'Where could I find him?' though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "I fear not." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 'I should be able to look after that for you.' together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their asked with his eyes open. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I question. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Yes?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in to Leatherhead. "What is it?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Witness: I must still refuse. "Entirely." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you people don't know." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "No. His orders were to stay in the house." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given walking." you do it in twenty minutes!' "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where and all of them with the keenest interest. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying sofa. This way, please!" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square other, as fresh and trim as possible. "And why?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no locked. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom of receipt of the work. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "I would give my fortune to have them back." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat just ask you whether you had heard it.' and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "What is it?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia details should find their way into the papers. Inspector is worth.' In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" all?" "But how did you gain them?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Nothing?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." knowledge of the world." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." The summons was a brief and urgent one. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a words came to my lips. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "He slept on the premises." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Doctor, of the paper and the date." my special province." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. have I gained?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "By train from Waterloo." "I am armed." "No." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest