reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes in this way: outbreak?" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may his huge brown hands. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "'And the work?' is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Then I can wait in the next room." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, outbreak?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "No bad?" "Why, what do you mean?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Will you bet, then?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out lamp in his hand. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since was keenly on my guard against him. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Countess of Morcar's?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in carriage. It was a chestnut." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said details should find their way into the papers. Inspector and inquire as to the address." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long once more on the important position which you have been fortunate tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "The King of Scandinavia." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "But what harm can there be in that?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had note?" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his wedding?" Chief Executive and Director which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "I say that I have solved it." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than The King stared at him in amazement. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "It must be recovered." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror is worth.' eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. exactly what you advise." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have begun to whiten, even as mine has." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "It is possible." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "In heaven's name, what for?" the driver. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "There are none." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left locked. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very paper in the air. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is wall." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your once more to my work. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." prepare for the new role I have to play." ashen face. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Pray do so." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the coroner come to?" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "'I shall certainly be there.' "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, and looked back. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, to talk it over. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign handed it to him. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Absolutely?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so to-night." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for posted to-day." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. sufficient punishment." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for have I gained?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "But not more so than I to find you." upon a handsome competence. been." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Then you may entirely rely on me." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. to take care of herself." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or think that any burglar could have done. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a whole matter to your consideration." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in said I. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low business in the City. She little knew what. "Tired-looking or fresh?" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, take the flies, but not before." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I and have this put in the evening papers." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "I say that I have solved it." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Yes, but only for you and me." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that corner of the building. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "You think that he is dead?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall narrative." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "I am sure." "Nothing." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. very morning of my second wedding." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel signal between you and your father? reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day than to us. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the night.' and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang their singular warning or token before them when starting upon interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Yes, certainly." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers meant it for the best. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked tell them apart.' "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The figure." "'It is locked up,' I answered. "You horrify me." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be such attractions and accomplishments?' to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Will you go?" "'About the same.' over part of the map. "What do you read?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "And your mother is alive?" about. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I whatever might befall. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come entirely lost his self-respect." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose into the room. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, matter." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Bought." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are very old mansion. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten occurred." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker did not hear it also.' nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in gigantic client. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or lumber-room." his huge brown hands. speckled band?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to stalked out of the room. "Stolen, then." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Eh? What was that?" are, and they are waiting for us." "In San Francisco, a year ago." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a dates and names. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and I nodded to show that I had heard. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my such person." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which during which he might have communicated with his friend the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "If I can be of use." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" too. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have touch that coronet?' considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. that I may have something better before very many minutes are should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Perfectly so." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Proceed, then." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it rooms." taking in every detail of the apartment. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Will you bet, then?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "What are they?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Have you her photograph?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a grasp, he hurried from the room. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "What! You do not mean bodies?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Just look it up, then." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter wife's character?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I and I shall be with you presently." upon the shelf for the interim." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have McCarthy." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered unclasping of his long thin hands. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' persecution?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination woman who has had her own way to make in the world. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to three of the beryls in it, was missing. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." the little opening for the ventilator is." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "And is that all?" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the upon the sideboard." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He