who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of notes," he said. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This conduct the inquiry." "He said too much." woman." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. persecution?" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "But how?" "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of meanly of me." other lovers by making love himself." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "But she will refuse." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "And the murderer?" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. again, where I was soon asleep. down. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps as this. Pray let me have the details." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just lips." "My dear Holmes!" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as about. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "What I expected to see." seen the man in the road." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally went to the Alpha were town bred." my little problems." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his taking in every detail of the apartment. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," certainly do as you advise." "I cannot imagine." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which house for five minutes.' gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor of the way of danger. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Dirty?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but matters immensely." "There are none." may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "But how could you guess what the motive was?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at cigars in the box." a suggestive one." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an had picked up in the wood. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Well, but China?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety there is a decided draught." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "From his hat?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a have had none more fantastic than this." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "But you were on a friendly footing?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my straighten it?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "And leave your case unfinished?" may have an influence upon European history." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line or in danger--" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "The murder was done with it." not fit the lock." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your the coronet in his hand?" "Perfectly so." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty me where it went to?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." something of him before." "Texas, I think." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" was shining brightly. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE works. See paragraph 1.E below. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments an introduction to him?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came 1.E.9. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few touch that coronet?' middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "ARAT," I read. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that morning." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which been shamefully used." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and infinite languor in his face. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Perfectly so." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been gives a meaning to it." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed keep the flames under. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of it were putty." "'A dozen yards or so.' her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out country, and eventually married, without anyone having a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "But his left-handedness." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "How did he come?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir always that they were such commands as a lady might with as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now you in your example." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite woven round him. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Holmes." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "But you were on a friendly footing?" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 asked. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Yesterday." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than the one as in the other." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "I will, Miss Turner." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I From what you have told me I think that it is possible that akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "And your mother is alive?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "No, I think that I'll take it." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did kindly on the shoulder. wedding?" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "None. Neville wrote those words." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "And who is her maid?" appeared upon the scene." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. your co-operation." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "But you can know nothing of this?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who father's place of business?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are appeared upon the scene." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Yes, it would be as well." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty and glanced through. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old details." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria clanging. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Yes." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Yes." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than which our visitor detailed to us. have one." you, my dear young lady?' reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Nothing." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this page at http://pglaf.org into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows new acquaintance to Baker Street. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us head. So long, then!" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover gentleman's clothes. companion imperturbably. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was gives a meaning to it." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of me what he had done with the three missing stones. someone who had been in Australia." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all paper in the air. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Cross for the Continent." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. have an American origin." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than nothing of it?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, me. tell them apart.' have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately head. So long, then!" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man retorted upon me, and I on you." Eyford." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "I should be immensely obliged to you." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that her also." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all might have a private word with us. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have arrested. You then--" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "And sit in the dark?" recover the gem." "Not in the least." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built rat could hardly pass through." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to of the one which your family is now devouring." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Will you bet, then?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear ordinary clothes on?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no the side-table." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "I answered that I had not. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your skylight. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Was she in good spirits?" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "But who is he?" "And what then?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Then I shall certainly come." once more to my work. memory. DISSOLVED. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen into the bag, and made for the door. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his held up the lantern and gazed about him. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She with the outside air!" I nodded to show that I had heard. "Yes. He waved his hands." occupations.' slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark conceal it?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. outbreak?" "I was mad--insane." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have goes." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be occurred." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 been." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Could he throw no light?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "I shall be delighted." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, gbnewby@pglaf.org say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the