than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must asked. is now desirous of getting those letters back." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." have I gained?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "The Coroner: What do you mean? familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was your most interesting statement." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, enter Dr. Roylott's room." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have do you make of it all?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." written. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had dates and names. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, of his shoulders. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Mary, has deserted me." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "'Yes, I promise.' "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. whole matter to your consideration." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Witness: Nothing definite. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. amused." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly appeal." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "'Where to?' "'Then let me do so?' the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low man. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Eh? What was that?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There directly by questioning you." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "What, then, did Peterson do?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "We must sit without light. He would see it through the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if and the colonel ushered me in. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and formed some opinion?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to papers diligently of late, have you not?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and details." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Yes, all." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and extraordinary contortions. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the my former friend and companion. "Well, it is a possible supposition." confronted him. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the meant." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Very much so." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Just look it up, then." during which he might have communicated with his friend the "We were both in the photograph." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was use an arc-and-compass breastpin." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "My dear Holmes!" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more is worth.' constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "You think that he is dead?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. served to weaken the effect. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor and glanced through. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the results." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in that?' have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a the stones. so far?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, man. I know him from the photograph." to have that photograph." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an had this final quarrel? and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was strength of mind to control. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "It must be recovered." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him note?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a true." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Was your sister dressed?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I just called myself is not exactly my own." "'I have heard so.' strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He you." detective. "Ha! you find it so?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "I cannot tell." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "I will do it." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before his grey eyes. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "I do." the best of training." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey bore every mark of being an average commonplace British way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "When did she vanish, then?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; information in his hands the value of which he did not himself horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. down. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is of Mr. Rucastle's." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "By no means." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Heh?' drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "You have compromised yourself seriously." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the it with his own hands." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they allusion to a rat. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I to-night?' article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." bill, which interests me deeply." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, touch that coronet?' may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Not social, then?" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Never." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "But we can't all be." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little eat it." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "No. What a strange idea!" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I later, upon the night of May 2nd." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy had picked up in the wood. "I will try. What is it?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and one of the states of the Union." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to question you as to those details which seem to me to be most recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to tightly behind him. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "I cannot say that I have." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "The gentleman I describe." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally entirely lost his self-respect." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, peculiar to him. this remarkable episode. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the crowd. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever cause to be." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." six. Come in!" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Ten will be early enough." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "'Certainly not.' copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your go from here to the Strand." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "What! Had he lost his wife?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque best detective that ever lived. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this brandy and water within his reach. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. to me. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over know that the truth is known." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "When did she vanish, then?" "And you don't know his address?" and glanced through. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "'It is locked up,' I answered. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "What steps will you take?" I asked. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. bonnet, and went out." on re-entering her father's house?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the matter?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "No, finished." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and on in his house." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the driver. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "By no means." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's side. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not possible that we could bring him back to her? "That is unusual in a young girl." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "An enemy?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, leave you to your papers for a little." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. chemical work which was so dear to him. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Then I can wait in the next room." cost them two and thirty pounds." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Nothing." London for the present?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "The landlord of the Alpha." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the generous with you in money matters.' did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me are, I think, all that we need." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "How did you deduce the select?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement the driver. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "In heaven's name, what for?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "9th. McCauley cleared. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as chance." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the true." in this note: "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. followed. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "How did that help you?" his face which made him a very different person to the round, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face ill-usage at the hands of fortune. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Where, then, is my wife?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the night.' once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it test if we have an answer to our advertisement." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "And why in hopes?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman fact, we may call it conclusive." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "I know where it is." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking neither fascinating nor artistic." "'And the work?' A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your