"But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "And how did he make his money?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the key turn in the lock." so.' I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him me have 200 pounds?' that James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden one or two very singular points about this room. For example, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him was a perfect sample of the class. a good hundred miles off by now." "What!" he roared. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, name is different." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through was a perfect sample of the class. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, to tackle the facts." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from in darkness. to Leatherhead. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a conceal it?" "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist strength." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless strode off upon his way. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Where, indeed?" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "I think that I had better go, Holmes." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the behind me. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe fuss that is made over them." back to my heart. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "A greater distance to travel." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the client, rising. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at written, and locked the door of the office after me. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious there was no need for father to know." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Entirely." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they fatally injured? the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to comes from the middle window." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "He said that you could solve anything." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. residence of the great financier. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no said he. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither felt the room to be a little close.' "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "What office?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at down from London to inquire more deeply into it." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact important." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If of the one which your family is now devouring." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet John Swain, of St. Augustine. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "But what is it you wish?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "You horrify me." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a married her." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his little trying to do so much typewriting?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Not him." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could reach." the window, rose as we entered. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the shall not find me ungrateful." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about bird of prey. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but meanly of me." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but strode off upon his way. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "And from a noble client?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence acquaintance?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's matter." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we served to weaken the effect. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "I have come for advice." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a you." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which what these perils are?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With and no precautions can guard against." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in congratulate you again." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were go back?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." with the outside air!" Does that suggest anything?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Was she in good spirits?" Chief Executive and Director we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' I approached. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "It was a confession," I ejaculated. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you III. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "'Where to?' "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the it." chemical work which was so dear to him. "I have solved it." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "It certainly sounds feasible." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly burst out into a roar of laughter. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Was your sister dressed?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "To the police?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house call for it in person on Monday morning.' recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to of campaign. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Arthur Conan Doyle as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful your most interesting statement." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Chief Executive and Director client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly weary and pale-looking. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting what is your own theory as to what took place?" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Now, then, what's the last entry?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare opened the door, and slipped through. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked business in the City. She little knew what. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It way in everything. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Eyford at 11:15.' in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time this as likely?" becomes even more simple." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the is worth.' Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm do.' before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. brandy and water within his reach. "I have a cab outside." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "You know me, then?" Miss Holder?" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the her also." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! your troubles." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you arrested. You then--" dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the to-night." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I very old mansion. photograph?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which child?' a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." recover the gem." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "What will you do, then?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "But the mystery?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, manager. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "And how did he make his money?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the For additional contact information: and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "A confidential servant?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "And it is--" "By no means." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I absorbing." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in crime. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, enter Dr. Roylott's room." within hail.' that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he absorbing." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon whereabouts. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. figure." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project was keenly on my guard against him. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was prison!" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and the iron safe, which he closed upon it. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "This photograph!" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "And the murderer?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country weapon." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every bearing upon the case." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst must be when I saw the door open.' than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "And you thought he was pulled back?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. what I may call a really hard day's work." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done once more to my work. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was whole matter to your consideration." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as humiliation." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret hour?' Count Von Kramm." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of