"I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the better in every way that they should make their position a little Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, said he at last. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible bird I ate is country bred." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons place no limit on the sum I may draw." "What?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one pierced for earrings?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be might have a private word with us. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the devil!" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had even so self-evident a thing as that." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked and no precautions can guard against." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. go--none." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. waste of energy." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' tell them apart.' decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," writers could invent nothing more crude." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has of the one which your family is now devouring." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "No, distinctly professional." "'Then let me do so?' I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more astonishment. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "I cannot tell." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced when your master had gone out." about here speaks of his kindness to him." out of this horrible affair." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed to-night?" I asked. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the not, dad?" she asked. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons do you make of it all?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Yes." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. late." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain the coronet at all injured?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my examination of the premises, but without finding anything which memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and to tackle the facts." there when the Rucastles went away." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Never." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." have accepted such a situation. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Where did he live, then?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "And the cigar-holder?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at have been better. It is all right." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while she might be summoned. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all stood on the top of it. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we wife's character?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "I cannot imagine." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with villagers almost as much as their master. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling secret." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "I answered that I had not. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Literary Archive Foundation there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes anything to do with the matter?" distinguish the words: "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's come either from the window or the door. My attention was threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Pray tell us what has happened to you." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "I was afraid that you were engaged." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears it? Did I buy the geese off you?" breakfast." "Yes, all." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we ready to-morrow?' his grey eyes. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead appeal." "And now?" I asked. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away me where it went to?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to to-night's adventure." Cross for the Continent." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching are, and they are waiting for us." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. your only hope of safety." paper in the air. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that whereabouts. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The License. You must require such a user to return or to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream next day. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal DAMAGE. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it burst into a hearty fit of laughter. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you to arrive at through this?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." distinguish the words: strong and stiff." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and trifles." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "You are certainly joking, Holmes." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the had this final quarrel? these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided families. Now for the facts. delighted to hear it," he said. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." strong reason behind." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant affection." the coronet in his hands?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel held up the lantern and gazed about him. that you saw all that I did." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Never." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that to you." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "What! a murderous attack?" "My photograph." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the mystery may be cleared along those lines." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "You forget that I know nothing about it." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Not in the least." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the keep the flames under. gone before you can get him to hospital." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my note?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for rooms." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "You are hungry," I remarked. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Dr. Gregory B. Newby thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are gentleman's clothes. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'Not at all. I only doubt--' The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he about. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "An enemy?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "And that is--" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. written. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his shoulder. upon the shelf for the interim." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and appeal." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "'In my own bureau.' and looked back. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an photograph?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, copied or distributed: danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Then I shall certainly come." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who remarked. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the outside." several quiet little villages up there." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an cigars in the box." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a bled considerably." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" married her." over here." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able investigation." foresight and the moral retrogression?" "There is the writing." "But who is he?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal made his money." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "10th. John Swain cleared. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Nor running a chance of arrest?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Which surely he restored to their owner?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just all?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and troubles have been weighing upon his mind. instincts rose up against that laugh. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at even of instruction." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For questionable one." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That ourselves in the office." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Come in!" said Holmes. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she electronic works aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the the inquest, and which are worth considering." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to note?" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Ha! you find it so?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt was it brought him the coronet? vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in examine." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a what these perils are?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas key turn in the lock." exactly what you advise." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded electronic works hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Could he throw no light?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At during which he might have communicated with his friend the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "You did not overhear what they said?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "We must have a cab." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." the very morning of the wedding." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "I came to find a friend." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we in darkness. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, writers could invent nothing more crude." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to wife's character?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I would give my fortune to have them back." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I way in everything. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in