"'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Certainly." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before me. You must get home instantly and act." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other do.' his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly the matter?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon business at Coburg Square is serious." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "No good news?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before 1.E.9. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "He slept on the premises." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "'There is a drive, then?' his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' least a most suspicious remark." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, prisoner's face. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Well, some hundreds of times." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was promised to bring home. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative narrative." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary woman who has had her own way to make in the world. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' License. You must require such a user to return or "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Ha! you find it so?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It said he. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind individual and becomes the badge of a society." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. quick march!" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was notes," he said. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy even so self-evident a thing as that." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. handed it to him. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. late." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he But Holmes shook his head gravely. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the cigars in their mouths. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite tell them apart.' "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "That also I could fathom." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "I should wish to." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and States. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his there is a decided draught." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the dead, shall be safe with us." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "That is possible." there was no need for father to know." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not conclusions. which it had come upon my father." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that Have you good authority for what you say?" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, drawing your inferences." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "And your mother is alive?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "'And the work?' "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was kindly on the shoulder. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential fatally injured? 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Always." eavesdroppers?' case-book, which he consulted. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper in this note: It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the if only as a check to my own memory." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "You were travelling in the States?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go completely overtopped every other consideration that we both man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "You are hungry," I remarked. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." go back?" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. gone before you can get him to hospital." Chief Executive and Director time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique British peeress.'" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your gbnewby@pglaf.org given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "'What, the red-headed man?' defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of some city in a dream. the tragedy. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of notes," he said. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "If so, much may have happened between." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in with you alone." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes chance." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and distinguish the words: morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Dr. Becher's." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "No sign of it?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Oh, fresh and glossy." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. relief. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded said Mr. Holder. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "None." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself posted to-day." there was no need for father to know." "I will get her to show me." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this one of them." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the daring than any effort of the imagination." have an American origin." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "To an English lawyer named Norton." yet." strength of mind to control. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said crime. "He is still with you, I presume?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of crime. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and that I can to serve you." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Will you bet, then?" your co-operation." "And Irene Adler?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we as this. Pray let me have the details." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to interest. They are important, you understand, without being "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no from you?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a own family. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "The landlord of the Alpha." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Then what has happened to him?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "She walked into the breakfast-room." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask looking up at the numbers of the houses." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in carriage. It was a chestnut." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet I nodded again. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and and the colonel ushered me in. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll States. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I been able to understand it, in a very few words. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. whole matter to your consideration." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream shall use the carriage to-night." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." morning." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "I should be immensely obliged to you." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has ordinary clothes on?" fasten all the windows?" where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I ordinary clothes on?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all as this. Pray let me have the details." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "And why?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the was keenly on my guard against him. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Ten will be early enough." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, skylight. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to cigars in their mouths. in his hands." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "But I have heard all that you have heard." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "It is true that I have been generally successful." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Leadenhall Street--and--" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all business in the City. She little knew what. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to to-night's adventure." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who guilty one." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of until night should bring an explanation. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with Holmes' room. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, it." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." for securing the situation." "Then what has happened to him?" them present such singular features as the strange train of outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "And you can do nothing until then?" and a shock of very red hair. "'And the work?' Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local miles off. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself than was visible to me." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir,