"We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Dark enough and sinister enough." fashion which was peculiar to him. them present such singular features as the strange train of the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" purpose equally well?" vanished into the darkness. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "'About the same.' again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and fatally injured? believe that I should never have any practice at all. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Then I shall certainly come." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "So I am. Very much so." British peeress.'" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "What is it, then--a fire?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon it with his own hands." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "In which, sir?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in it means?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Then I can wait in the next room." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "And how have you succeeded?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Well, it is a possible supposition." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still you in your example." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I cannot as yet see any connection." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no have got?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "One of his hands." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Pray be precise as to details," said he. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a companion. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting back to my heart. "What have you to say now?" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "And on what day did he meet his death?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as searched, without anything being found which could incriminate matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself I nodded to show that I had heard. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the matter?" question," said Holmes, smiling. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Dr. Becher's." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense have got?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled at my remark. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was in his power. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. might help us?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at vanished into the darkness. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could friends, not even his own brother. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one ordinary clothes on?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "How about poison?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a interests were the same as his." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend The events in question occurred in the early days of my fuss that is made over them." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. you in yours." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. when your master had gone out." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, of Fenchurch Street." acquaintance?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that gone. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "What then?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." when you have done it." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the nursery. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss there is a decided draught." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second forbidden door. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle just called myself is not exactly my own." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to His smile broadened. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." you." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and standing smiling on the door-step. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "And how did you verify them?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "He said too much." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by you in your example." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite criminal. We have already had experience of such." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without during the last few years, and there are many noble families to preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Does that suggest anything?" like that before?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I me." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. late." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Holmes' face clouded over. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, if only as a check to my own memory." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." fled together." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." one's self under obligations.' the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, security.' "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns absolutely follow my advice in every respect." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "I have solved it." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than to-morrow." emerged. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "I will, Miss Turner." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Witness: I must still refuse. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some the general public were present, then?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down of this gang." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us do.' "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a said I. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in October 9, 1890. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the vault. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent ourselves in the office." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his present strange and interesting features that it is no easy in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for them?" his wife has ceased to love him." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Only as much as we can deduce." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "On your arm?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right his wife has ceased to love him." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon yet." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." what I may call a really hard day's work." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "I cannot imagine." "And the murderer?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Oh, fresh and glossy." "You are hungry," I remarked. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as strange features which were associated with the two crimes which details should find their way into the papers. Inspector the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been at my own good fortune. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he nights." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "But how will you look?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Cross for the Continent." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the to arrive at through this?" follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there retorted upon me, and I on you." "Not social, then?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." events, Mr. Windibank!" Sholtos." "The Coroner: What do you mean? rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." and I shall be with you presently." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but have got?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to the so-precious time, but come!' "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all becomes even more simple." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "And when will you call?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. tied." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "At the wedding breakfast." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Yes, I have one waiting." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "How many? I don't know." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of country, and eventually married, without anyone having a even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Eh? What was that?" "'Yes.' room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and such person." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the details." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a certainly do as you advise." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Oh, yes, easily." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the window, rose as we entered. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "This concluded the examination of the witness." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which morning." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which assist you in forming an opinion." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my orange pips. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "I should like to see him very much." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "But it has twice been burgled." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement himself in a perplexing position. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean some terrible trap for her." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by whatever might befall. derbies." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Proceed, then." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just a very grave face. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his interested in these little problems, and since you are good