made him keep the appointment." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, to-night?' settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Dark enough and sinister enough." "And you can do nothing until then?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my question," said Holmes, smiling. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "You'll never persuade me to believe that." think, you have already met." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, I held the little printed slip to the light. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Very murderous indeed." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Not in a good cause." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "I cannot as yet see any connection." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the dangers which encompass me." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless had no one to advise her at such a crisis." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless the warnings." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' to miss it." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Street. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry are windows in it, of course?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your know that the truth is known." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 made his money." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of events, Mr. Windibank!" "Do you know him?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I it were putty." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her arrested. You then--" suspect him." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Then I can wait in the next room." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for breakfast and whispered something to her husband. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took success. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the tightly behind him. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Yes, certainly." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "'Ten to two.' Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "'And the work?' chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he present strange and interesting features that it is no easy cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your a few minutes he said that it would be all right. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security the night.' bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my opened a pocket-book and took out a note. side. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you soul! here is her carriage at the door." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Nothing." "And the cigar-holder?" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." of campaign. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive along the entire front of the house, with three long windows I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it has little to do with my story." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have quick march!" "Texas, I think." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor the room while you explain this matter?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "How do you know, then?" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "That was it, sir." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Entirely." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. letters?" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey will be renamed. them?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as exactly what you advise." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. ran thus: every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs your Highness to the police-station?" make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the warnings." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Then how many are there?" not, dad?" she asked. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday London for the present?" there!' "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to http://gutenberg.net/license). and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite carried out of court." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at thin legs towards the fire. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said she to prove their authenticity?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Yes. He waved his hands." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I round and wave him away like that.' which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey not as remarkable as your advertisement." the devil!" "His face fell immediately. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in conduct the inquiry." "Yes, certainly." outside." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Who was the criminal, then?" "It looks newer than the other things?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Yes." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "In the cells." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "It is very kind of you." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and mysterious business." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding the night.' about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler investigation." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an think you a quite exceptional woman." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Again Holmes raved in the air. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" out of this horrible affair." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she narrative." Holmes' face clouded over. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Yes." article?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could to affect your life." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "What, then, did Peterson do?" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the wedding?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than green of the new foliage. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "What do you mean?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." you." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments introspective fashion. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, in. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "But it has twice been burgled." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press yards of it?' Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "By train from Waterloo." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were crackling voice. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "He is still with you, I presume?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Yes, it would be as well." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Yes. He waved his hands." guilty parties." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "But his lameness?" 'please.'" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "And it is--" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "I am still in the dark." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' what I may call a really hard day's work." the morning and make my own way in the world.' before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'There is a drive, then?' business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. wife's character?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. is," said he presently: the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock to take care of herself." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering round and wave him away like that.' flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "We have tried and failed." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his it. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." heavily into it. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to fashion which was peculiar to him. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists seem to you to be relevant or not." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Yesterday." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Which are?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "And who is her maid?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way some city in a dream. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I entirely devoid of interest." redistribution. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "We must have a cab." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "A client, then?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "'About the same.' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who legal crime." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to me. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the name is different." "Has he come with you to-night?" "I am following you closely," I answered. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I conduct the inquiry." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a everything which you would wish to know." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father during the last few years, and there are many noble families to met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in one or two very singular points about this room. For example, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose know all about it," he snarled. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "There are none." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused