that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "No, my brougham is waiting." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he I am not easy in my mind about them." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly presented more singular features than that which was associated horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is in this way: the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "To ruin me." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have http://www.gutenberg.net "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which have an American origin." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to to arrive at through this?" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The friends, not even his own brother. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes there when the Rucastles went away." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole definite end. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good that threaten you." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have upon the shelf for the interim." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. bonnet, and went out." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and all?" read over the extraordinary announcement. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "But how?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Yes." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have of Fenchurch Street." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If me, and I could not think that his explanation of the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Street. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "An enemy?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Stolen." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. notes," he said. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' examination of the premises, but without finding anything which I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "That also I could fathom." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the client, rising. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Miss Holder?" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Where did you address your letters, then?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish did not hear it also.' upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." works. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "By no means." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' indeed which he could not unravel. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. morning." "Did he not advertise?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Your presence might be invaluable." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Where did he live, then?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." purpose of examination. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without would apply.' legal crime." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable for securing the situation." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Married! When?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." sound at heart." disappearance of these gems?" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, wife's character?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "And leave your case unfinished?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "'You doubt its value?' he asked. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Mary, has deserted me." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Well, some hundreds of times." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Cross for the Continent." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see there!' cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Yes." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "We were both in the photograph." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the gentleman's clothes. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Get out!" said he. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the before, for it was considerably after midnight. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in during which he might have communicated with his friend the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." out of this horrible affair." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Yes, all." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "How did that help you?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Deserted you?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Henry Baker is a member." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "How did you trace it, then?" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to anything to do with the matter?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Yes, he did." with her." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just married her." "No?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg affair. "Will you bet, then?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first on in his house." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to from you?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the station." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your papers diligently of late, have you not?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Her father is very rich?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy away to you." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in closely." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly have I gained?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "I should be immensely obliged to you." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your with some details as to your case." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "I have come for advice." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "But the mystery?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am you, my dear young lady?' especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you strength of mind to control. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "'Stolen!' he cried. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a burst into a hearty fit of laughter. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich that before taking the final step I should like to submit the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a it." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "And did you observe any change in her then?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon with the outside air!" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built with frightened eyes at his accuser. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the 1.F. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I get the tickets." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, head. So long, then!" he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." lips." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point not as remarkable as your advertisement." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "But you can know nothing of this?" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from chance." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with the address that was given us in the advertisement. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of any more." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has him and tried to hold him back. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly next day. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Watson," he said cordially. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is *** START: FULL LICENSE *** I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of fashion which was peculiar to him. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "'I am sure if I had known--' eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Lestrade of Scotland Yard." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg my friend's incisive reasoning. "And what did you see?" interests were the same as his." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I not, dad?" she asked. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are do.' "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Do you know him?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. crime. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was digesting their breakfasts at home." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much he bowed and left the room without another word. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "What! a murderous attack?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here