and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it if I call to-morrow?" dear old homesteads?" Leadenhall Street--and--" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "You have the photograph?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait said he. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Quite so. She has her freedom." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of them present such singular features as the strange train of was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was this man was intellectual?" jewels which you have stolen?' Sutherland. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Sholtos." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "How often?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to ourselves in the office." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And You want to know what became of those geese?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Did your wife hear all this?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let weary and pale-looking. "Have you it here?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from The King stared at him in amazement. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few all-comprehensive glances. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back woven round him. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. to talk it over. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Did you observe the colour?" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "No good news?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. invisible to me," I remarked. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Game for a morning drive?" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, second window is the one that I jumped from." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could to take care of herself." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. acted in my house last night?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "What have you to say now?" "I have solved it." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little important." This is what he says: weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "By no means." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you I think that I could be of assistance to you." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "I will do it." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have London for the present?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "I answered that I had not. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed lips." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Yes. He waved his hands." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Look there!" said he. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch eavesdroppers?' not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the chemical work which was so dear to him. "And you thought he was pulled back?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "And from a noble client?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. or other trace. But how on earth--" there." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke rose-bushes. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project had no one to advise her at such a crisis." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "You have the photograph?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come like that before?" presume?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his whether it answered to the description of any of their "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "What will you say?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had of." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "What shall I do?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "And from a noble client?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As empty. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make them present such singular features as the strange train of comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "In answer to an advertisement." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said discontent upon his features. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "What will you say?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small you." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning that you saw all that I did." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "'Very good.' reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of answered with a sidelong glance. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know this truth that in these little records of our cases which you confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "'Certainly,' I answered. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." only touch the interest." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Texas, I think." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She experiences." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Yes, all." might help us?" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I nothing of it?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a your Highness to the police-station?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." and looked back. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman wanted for ourselves." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "And is that all?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Where, indeed?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Yes, only one." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of one's self under obligations.' faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to new duties?' case before our client came into the room." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is figure." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler some water from a caraffe. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave himself in a perplexing position. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "His face fell immediately. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they may never be exposed to such a temptation." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "'And the work?' have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face arms and began to sob in a high treble key. heavy and sharp instrument." your billet.' Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "A client, then?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." golden eyeglasses. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "I have my revolver," said I. your bag." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "No, I think that I'll take it." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It definite end. This is what he says: by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we call you and give you the chance." "At half-wages, in fact." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch letters?" "There are none." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen time." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "I will not look." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Leadenhall Street--and--" recover the gem." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. strong reason behind." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts is so. I know all about McCarthy." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, his knees, staring into the fire. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No,