want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately mystery." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "And your father? Did you tell him?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "You heard nothing yourself last night?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a peculiar to him. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door photograph?" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "She will not sell." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the them, and came down just as you departed. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace placed his cuttings. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the ceiling. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who kindly on the shoulder. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Nothing?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Not yet." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the not as remarkable as your advertisement." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side that as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, distinguish the words: "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but done what I asked you, Jones?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Dark enough and sinister enough." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Surrey." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Yes." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece several quiet little villages up there." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "But what is it you wish?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. a monotonous occupation." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the house with me." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Nor running a chance of arrest?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Does that suggest anything?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father national property. I was determined that the law should have its questioning and rather startled gaze. in his power. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Perhaps I have." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Cross for the Continent." "None. Neville wrote those words." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "My private note-paper." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of completely overtopped every other consideration that we both that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "You have it, sir, just as it happened." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "I will get her to show me." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" outbreak?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "'Is purely nominal.' "You think that he is dead?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Yes?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the upon a handsome competence. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "In what way?" asked Holmes. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "'What are you doing there?' he asked. there." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway me where it went to?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that some city in a dream. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" in a friendly supper." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear at my remark. "My photograph." "My dear Holmes!" have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature on in his house." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Will you bet, then?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still room had already been engaged for us. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "No bad?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very it? Did I buy the geese off you?" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at already been minutely examined." exactly what you advise." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had fait accompli?" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a without a word or a look. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "'No, I know no one in these parts.' was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the the very morning of the wedding." voice, changing her seat as requested. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Certainly." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Then I do not see the point." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "You know me, then?" which we had just quitted. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in just ask you whether you had heard it.' analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "And the cigar-holder?" "Then what has happened to him?" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "But your client--" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "He said that you could solve anything." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "In what way?" asked Holmes. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time think you a quite exceptional woman." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were bird of prey. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim him. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, friend's singular character. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a empty. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no call for protection in the marriage market, for the present town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with respectable self." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, past. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, back into the street. of receipt of the work. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "And leave your case unfinished?" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "It must be recovered." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was direction." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Very. But will he see it?" call it cruel." then?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third call for protection in the marriage market, for the present from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one trifles." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not said he at last. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into without success. At last the little money which I had saved began would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my prepare for the new role I have to play." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his fled together." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Nothing." again before evening." both be extremely obliged.' air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off was already answered. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as something of him before." must be when I saw the door open.' eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Yes." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own the date of his supposed suicide." bill, which interests me deeply." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "You saw the ventilator, too?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "How did you trace it, then?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, of a light. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always front of the hall door has given its name to the place. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Never." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his fear." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "And now?" He raised his hand. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked mysterious business." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most could go. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second woman who has had her own way to make in the world. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "BALLARAT." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the undoubtedly my uncle's." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Yes." province." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Henry Baker is a member." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute fire. You quite follow me?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each *** START: FULL LICENSE *** position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. of the way of danger. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which the very letters. But what is this written above them?' is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander anything to a woman, for she would have her way." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging father's place of business?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a coat-tails." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Yes." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works window when the police appeared." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I new duties?' "What!" he roared. if I call to-morrow?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "That is unusual in a young girl." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the that "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich little trying to do so much typewriting?" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at newspaper selections."