glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, confronted him. than was visible to me." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Eyford at 11:15.' "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and little adventures." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to have not had my rubber." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in it with his own hands." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Married! When?" fasten all the windows?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "I am about to be married." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know The note was undated, and without either signature or address. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "I will not look." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, hard-headed British jury." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "'I shall certainly be there.' is a common subject for conversation. it." "It is very kind of you." chemical work which was so dear to him. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions whereabouts. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "I beg pardon." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with corner of the building. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will whether it answered to the description of any of their not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: roused himself from his reverie. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for about. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen rat could hardly pass through." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Again Holmes raved in the air. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the gone. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the bottom.' As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "What do you mean?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my think that any burglar could have done. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" society." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "I am about to be married." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of friend's singular character. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of cause to be." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Not in a good cause." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent points in connection with it which never have been, and probably in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Witness: I must still refuse. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." this unhappy family?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was bearing upon the case." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "None. Neville wrote those words." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could locked." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, DAMAGE. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive pressing in one house as in another. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "And sit in the dark?" "My last client of the sort was a king." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to indeed which he could not unravel. main points of my analysis." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 it? Did I buy the geese off you?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my copied or distributed: uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "I am sure." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side he bowed and left the room without another word. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded not as remarkable as your advertisement." "My own seal." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it became a certainty. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the inner apartment." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "On Monday." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would throat." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned frequently gained my first real insight into the character of when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "How did that help you?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in washing it down with a long draught of water. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias laugh and put his lips to my ear. cause to be." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship vanished into the darkness. "None." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his pictures, libraries, or plate. helping a boy to put up the shutters. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "You have carte blanche." him and tried to hold him back. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Certainly, madam." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Watson," he said cordially. "But to whom?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Holmes' room. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this gigantic client. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had could go. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "None. Neville wrote those words." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable writer." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of unprecedented a position." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the envelope. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this companion. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts place, I think that there is good ground to think that the crackling voice. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked at once, for I have only half an hour." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened The events in question occurred in the early days of my "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Yes." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no was used.' walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a against a man in the prime of life?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and key of the affair now." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "And the murderer?" quickly through a disagreeable task. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the if only as a check to my own memory." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she events than those which have happened in my own family." events, Mr. Windibank!" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and thirty. disappearance of the bride.'" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "I answered that I had not. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say he bowed and left the room without another word. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the address that was given us in the advertisement. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Yes." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack them?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "The rest you will leave in our hands." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. such person." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always less than 26s. 4d. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, straightened it out again. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "She will not sell." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." any." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his generous with you in money matters.' most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and been with you?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless walking." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "But not more so than I to find you." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "It was an hour's good drive." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "My opinion is in no way altered." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, your troubles." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "'Never,' said I. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "'Certainly not. But why?' companion quietly. felt?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens little trying to do so much typewriting?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Indeed! Whose, then?" there in twenty minutes." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an tassel actually lying upon the pillow. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another congenial hunt. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could stood on the top of it. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these words came to my lips. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "But she will refuse." nice household for a young lady." intrusion of other matters." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. residence of the great financier. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I if she died from some sudden fright." knowledge of the world." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Not in the least." "He is dead," cried several voices. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "You don't mind breaking the law?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "BALLARAT." writing, and yet I know it well." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." he. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. His smile broadened. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "What do you mean?" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, lost nothing by them." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "But your client--" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself observed. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Very much so." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was