particular state visit http://pglaf.org clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Sutherland. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Here?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink kind enough to tell me what I should do." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was second." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the was it brought him the coronet? was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a foot. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which anything to do with the matter?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and locked. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, within hail.' Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the business." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. photograph a cabinet?" "'There is a drive, then?' my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning in one or two places in England?' "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. nights." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter more terrible than the truth. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "No, I think that I'll take it." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "None." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated assist you in forming an opinion." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "'You doubt its value?' he asked. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he walking." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are upon a handsome competence. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. it right.' George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "I have my revolver," said I. "But I have heard all that you have heard." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "'Yes, sir.' and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while you." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Holmes' room. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing for the market.' used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I extraordinary contortions. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which said he at last. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at only touch the interest." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "On the contrary, this is the right side." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the to surprise her." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, signal between you and your father? the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There maiden herself was most instructive." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Yes, I have one waiting." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Miss Holder?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY this unhappy family?" works. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself felt?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the me where it went to?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, spare." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my acquaintance?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "It is his hat." waste of energy." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag foresight and the moral retrogression?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it rooms." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "It was." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon he died? "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "The King of Scandinavia." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "No." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "'I have already given you my word.' tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Imitated." I shall communicate with you." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "And you thought he was pulled back?" she might be summoned. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "No." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, must compliment you." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the this Miss Turner." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to salesman. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall had picked up in the wood. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' away into the river." within hail.' happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been in this note: "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project kind enough to tell me what I should do." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been ago." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I you." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence chill to my heart. "'Where to?' stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "How did you trace it, then?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Game for a morning drive?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Yes, all." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the wanted for ourselves." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly his cane at the bell-pull. "On your arm?" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in to have that photograph." "'Most admirably.' room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an views." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will *** START: FULL LICENSE *** have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to chair. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Why did you pick him?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "'And what salary do you ask?' office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "'You cannot say what it was?' "Then, as to money?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror trifles." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "I shall most certainly do so." started for the Temple to see my husband. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. the date of his supposed suicide." "Then what has happened to him?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there about here speaks of his kindness to him." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end them?" quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Well?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at must compliment you." hour?' does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Yes." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, leaning back in his chair. "Perhaps we may make them less so." crowd. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the one as in the other." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when maid will bring up your coffee." never came back." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer forehead. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. charged with?" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I not use it unless it is absolutely needed." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet had picked up in the wood. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "No, I had a dozen." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Do you know him?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Well?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong ways including including checks, online payments and credit card as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a families. Now for the facts. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of to tell." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Yes, the wine-cellar." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a to arrive at through this?" upon the white wrist. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "This concluded the examination of the witness." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can get her out of the way." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "'A dozen yards or so.' recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Get out!" said he. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Clair, of Lee." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, next day. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "And that is--" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger pressing in one house as in another. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you at once, for I have only half an hour." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to late!' red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not dramatic, in fact." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has out." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "I will, Miss Turner." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "What then?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, within hail.' freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was me what he had done with the three missing stones. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Murdered?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock pierced for earrings?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I even of instruction." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Where to?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in important." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At respectable self." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what stammered. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "What are they?" coroner's jury." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Stoke Moran?" said he. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few main points of my analysis." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from note?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she my friend's incisive reasoning. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of