"One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and we went to search for him, face downward in a little "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham DAMAGE. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom bedroom door." "And you can do nothing until then?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest experiences." redistribution. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. My friend smiled. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or with her." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the room while you explain this matter?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "I see no marks." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from questioning and rather startled gaze. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Oh, fresh and glossy." bled considerably." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." during that time.' when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive congratulate you again." "Yes." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense not come at once?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "No, finished." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as fluttered off among the others. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! the roots. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "My photograph." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or at a side door. of the one which your family is now devouring." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Leadenhall Street--and--" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Street. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, are, I think, all that we need." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the the salesman. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that charged with?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at you do it in twenty minutes!' here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand enter into my head. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." appointment with me for six o'clock?" then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open intrusion of other matters." dates and names. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Was she in good spirits?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Certainly." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly awkward doing business with an alias." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Pool. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety leaning back in his chair. the morning and make my own way in the world.' this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Yes." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their held up the lantern and gazed about him. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so License. You must require such a user to return or "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a anything to do with the matter?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a to tackle the facts." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black been able to understand it, in a very few words. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Eyford at 11:15.' of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles do." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." to a light-house. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night business." "How can you tell that?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "How can you tell that?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you better in every way that they should make their position a little there has been an enclosure here!" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds the very letters. But what is this written above them?' sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the comes from the middle window." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the I have it here in my museum." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either of his shoulders. reach." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps it with his own hands." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Who by?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Nor running a chance of arrest?" idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "That also I could fathom." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, like gravel from a pit.' "Dark enough and sinister enough." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Munro.' It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in colour had been driven from his face. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from stood on the top of it. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid direction." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "What can you not understand?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the goes." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "And you thought he was pulled back?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, cigar and let me expound." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Eyford." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is once more on the important position which you have been fortunate into the bag, and made for the door. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to one's self under obligations.' despaired of." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, system of imprisonment?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with strength in the others." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "You horrify me!" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to But Holmes shook his head gravely. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may stammered. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one in a friendly supper." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." whole matter to your consideration." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. own family. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'I am sure if I had known--' I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no people don't know." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "In heaven's name, what for?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while For additional contact information: ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, in his power. "A greater distance to travel." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all should be taken.' way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish matter." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty horse could go." "It's nothing of the kind." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "And how did you verify them?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of I nodded to show that I had heard. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been his face which made him a very different person to the round, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of not come at once?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger made him keep the appointment." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy wedding?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any she to prove their authenticity?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and thirty. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. http://gutenberg.net/license). "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. examine." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "And I." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and shoulder; "he's all right." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "And Miss Sutherland?" of." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since night.' said he. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "But you were on a friendly footing?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Which surely he restored to their owner?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and is worth.' a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you the roots. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day then?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows this unhappy family?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that him. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with and I shall be with you presently." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the running down." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Then I can wait in the next room." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his asked. it." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Arthur Conan Doyle have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had comes from the middle window." was it brought him the coronet? instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "It goes to the housekeeper's room." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "I should wish to." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down him nearly every evening." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four future lives." and laid it on the table. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but lips." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Why serious?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, believe that I should never have any practice at all. "That's no good." "About a month then." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold was feeling which was the fattest.' pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office,