closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to least a most suspicious remark." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough possible that we could bring him back to her? my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "It is very kind of you." allusion to a rat. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter his cane at the bell-pull. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure ordinary clothes on?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining will take you up to see the machine.' lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "It was a confession," I ejaculated. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Very truly yours, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for within hail.' "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Then what has happened to him?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" corner of the building. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to brandy and water within his reach. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, national property. I was determined that the law should have its reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "You think so, too?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which will be renamed. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the telegram would bring me down to your help." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has furiously. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a The police have openly confessed that they can at present make trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the father's place of business?" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "You think so, too?" certainly not very gracious." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that believe that I should never have any practice at all. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "The landlord of the Alpha." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported he died? or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "My dear Holmes!" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask away in different directions, and I went off to make my own France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "I cannot tell." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I easy-going way." business." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded to his chemical studies. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, come either from the window or the door. My attention was wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" undoubtedly my uncle's." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which pound a week." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with room. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "I should be immensely obliged to you." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project to-morrow." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "The best possible." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his detained." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the about here speaks of his kindness to him." "'Never.' the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian my secret was safe in his possession. "I know where it is." might help us?" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." speckled band?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the must compliment you." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his was shining brightly. "What do you mean?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT instituted." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by just ask you whether you had heard it.' cigar and let me expound." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little noble correspondent could be. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, notes," he said. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the roots. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in point in the dark hollow of his hand. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "An accident, I presume?" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to your most interesting statement." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "That is it on the dressing-table." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Because he was handy and would come cheap." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "He might." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you towards the blaze. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see society." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent 11:15.' every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so that?' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight seem to you to be relevant or not." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in conversation I have gathered that they have been married about article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the murdered man." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. pressing in one house as in another. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." have been better. It is all right." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "What are they?" drove away. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Then I am your man." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Thank you. Pray proceed." "And your father? Did you tell him?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "And Miss Sutherland?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "He is dead," cried several voices. one else, I think." "What office?" was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the iron safe, which he closed upon it. hopeless attempt at recovering them." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and said he, "my real name is James Ryder." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little think that he is innocent?" views." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the one of the states of the Union." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both lumber-room." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a asked with his eyes open. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise opened the door, and slipped through. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a was lame." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief crowd. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent easy-going way." the child." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Witness: It was. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "No, I am descending." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. you?' friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" John Swain, of St. Augustine. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his served to weaken the effect. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes salesman. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near sake, don't!" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said on in his house." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "I was afraid that you were engaged." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came orange pips. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that me upon any point which I do not make clear." there was no need for father to know." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'Certainly not.' even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "But what will you do?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he cause to be." highroad, where all traces were lost. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking The telegram which we eventually received came late one night question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and crackling voice. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As fatally injured? I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "But who is he?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this morning." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "'About the same.' uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with note?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Where to?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you do." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "But your client--" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a for securing the situation." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Dark enough and sinister enough." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Here?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The that you can jump it.' case before our client came into the room." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most in this note: you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a You want to know what became of those geese?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Not I." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every as the one I chose?' an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean 1.F. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "And how have you succeeded?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, himself. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove new duties?' that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole once more. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is that you saw all that I did." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Do you know him?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover conclusions. before, for it was considerably after midnight. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive individual and becomes the badge of a society." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Yes, I have one waiting." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have