"'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up room. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, outside. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements Clair, of Lee." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is until night should bring an explanation. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Witness: I must still refuse. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "What do you mean?" by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in lectures into a series of tales." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous hand, madam?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." here and I will read it to you: was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It purpose equally well?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in himself to tell his story. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "'Oh, no.' "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning that you saw all that I did." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Witness: It was. only touch the interest." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," sparkled upon his finger. "The doctor?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "But how?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of you." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Absolutely?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." to some other building. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, despaired of." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he weighed down with some great anxiety. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable likely to be some crony of the landlady's." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Only as much as we can deduce." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was became a certainty. "Not I." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "But who is he?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do secret." crowd. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "No." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "No, my brougham is waiting." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a lamp. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, a very grave face. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, straightened it out again. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" memory. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the horse could go." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with think that he is innocent?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any works. whereabouts. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an really the only notable feature about the thing." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what narrative." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, that judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the his knees, staring into the fire. long narrative. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. coroner's jury." be best to do. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Surrey." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to during that time.' "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his call it cruel." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must and put his glass in his pocket. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This acquaintance?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "You have carte blanche." "That is it on the dressing-table." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I matter." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Chief Executive and Director third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock with you?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "My dear Holmes!" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "What then?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the dead, shall be safe with us." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "'What then?' I asked. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Pool. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "'Not at all. I only doubt--' you?' Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "At half-wages, in fact." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "You think so, too?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I arms and began to sob in a high treble key. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a call it cruel." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Absolutely?" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote question. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project showing my impatience. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I within hail.' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found society." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Very much so." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Which are?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Oh, yes, easily." the roots. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "The doctor?" "What I expected to see." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears outside." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Whose house is it?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." where we are going." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I advice." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then miles off. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. you." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Surrey." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the charge against him will break down." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my in the hope of finding them." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your questionable one." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an fatally injured? I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your will he say when he returns?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "And you don't know his address?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "'Entirely.' still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "I should be immensely obliged to you." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "It is half-past ten now." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and of the way of danger. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the visitors." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "How did you deduce the select?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has redistribution. get her out of the way." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "What are they?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Yes, at the mines." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met strong and stiff." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed or other trace. But how on earth--" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "None." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Where, then?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the IS flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. humiliation." This is what he says: lamp in his hand. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than way: Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I three of the beryls in it, was missing. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Yes." these bleak autumnal evenings." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "But I have heard all that you have heard." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Thank you. Pray proceed." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. fasten all the windows?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these foot. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the quickly through a disagreeable task. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers when your master had gone out." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'Yes, sir.' all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened to that open window." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Yes, sir." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "And who is her maid?" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of go from here to the Strand." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Pray do so." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she few hundred pounds.' "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was I took the paper from him and read as follows: struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five