quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on past. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my cost them two and thirty pounds." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a to take care of herself." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. towards the blaze. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the so-precious time, but come!' silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "But she will refuse." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' in him." mysterious business." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Why? What do you mean?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he been with you?" people in all walks of life. lamp in his hand. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white subject to the trademark license, especially commercial until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email For additional contact information: shall use the carriage to-night." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." promised to bring home. himself. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "'I shall certainly be there.' man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the address. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. companion. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "'Where to?' temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me companion quietly. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "When did she vanish, then?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were laugh and put his lips to my ear. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one front of me. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Entirely." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last minor matters until to-morrow." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot Gutenberg-tm License. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "But we can't all be." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "No good news?" "Could he throw no light?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Pool. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' of a light. open." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Yesterday." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman away to you." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until forehead. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "What, then, did Peterson do?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to interest. They are important, you understand, without being face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a which should have the effect of calling the attention of the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Entirely." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my certainly not very gracious." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Surrey." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could writing, and yet I know it well." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Well?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few true." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "About a month then." "So I heard. You have him here?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Your sister is dead, then?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "'Why that?' I asks. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his arrangements." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Countess of Morcar's?" "'What, the red-headed man?' the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has troubles have been weighing upon his mind. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to is a common subject for conversation. the coronet at all injured?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every to miss it." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. to change my dress. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates himself to tell his story. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him sound at heart." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and companion imperturbably. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "And help." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the derbies." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Pray continue your narrative." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, straightened it out again. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of as yours." "The gentleman I describe." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "The gentleman I describe." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain copied or distributed: encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and golden eyeglasses. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "It looks newer than the other things?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Her father is very rich?" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Henry Baker is a member." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "I will do it." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. how narrow had been my escape. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "It missed him, then?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." individual and becomes the badge of a society." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in presume?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you other lovers by making love himself." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main my secret was safe in his possession. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I will get her to show me." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this me upon any point which I do not make clear." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "It is no ordinary one." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped good for you to do.' "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me if she died from some sudden fright." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "And the murderer?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his into her hand at the door and which lured her within their keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course hopeless attempt at recovering them." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us will be renamed. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. all-comprehensive glances. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four a room. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Stolen, then." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the window, rose as we entered. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of out." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. gone. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw in him." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "My dear Holmes!" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Precisely so. But how--" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at sound at heart." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens your most interesting statement." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to and that he would see to anything that turned up. hair?' other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. that I can to serve you." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Who by?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the it with his own hands." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "When did she vanish, then?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Leave Paddington by the 11:15." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. investigation." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Edgeware Road. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "I guessed as much." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress you in yours." had this final quarrel? ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "But you can know nothing of this?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Where, indeed?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was better grown goose." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Pope's Court. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I gives a meaning to it." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and neither fascinating nor artistic." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger your room." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" that threaten you." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in call for it in person on Monday morning.' cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as letters?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment presented more singular features than that which was associated "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom how narrow had been my escape. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. is a common subject for conversation. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "That also I could fathom." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think for and were ordered to this address. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third this truth that in these little records of our cases which you hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to newspaper selections." some terrible trap for her." think, you have already met." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Only as much as we can deduce." Count Von Kramm." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as