was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'In my own bureau.' was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "'A dozen yards or so.' secret." "The gentleman I describe." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A attention." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands interest. They are important, you understand, without being with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had several quiet little villages up there." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had to you." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "'Oh, no.' believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first before, for it was considerably after midnight. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this colonel looking down at me. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in and the whole place is in a blaze." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been DAMAGE. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered away to you." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry shadow pass over his face as I spoke. green of the new foliage. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this way in everything. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I closing the door. minor matters until to-morrow." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's least a most suspicious remark." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Sholtos." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Won't it ring?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous made him keep the appointment." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "I am armed." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that how narrow had been my escape. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come to take care of herself." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which of Fenchurch Street." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the said I. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "What then?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our could go. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the been shamefully used." "You know me, then?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" in a very precise fashion." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Oh, yes, easily." one of the states of the Union." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the best of training." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "I was mad--insane." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return fat-encircled eyes. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have married her." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it the matter?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders without a word or a look. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "To ruin me." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection residence of the great financier. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "My stepfather's business papers." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black points to suicide?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very gentleman's clothes. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he without a word or a look. his face which made him a very different person to the round, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" to me. "A confidential servant?" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I hopeless attempt at recovering them." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. became a certainty. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Nothing?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the McCarthy." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. held up the lantern and gazed about him. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised down. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was pound a week." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set charged with?" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it rooms." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has colonel looking down at me. copied or distributed: I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "No legal papers or certificates?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Imitated." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, kindly on the shoulder. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "And Irene Adler?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "I cannot think." "What will you do, then?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out manager. "No, my brougham is waiting." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Now, then, what's the last entry?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." crime." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for works. See paragraph 1.E below. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." not personally threatened." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "And why?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, to tell." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Lee, in the county of Kent." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "You have the photograph?" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad people in all walks of life. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an said he. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when than was visible to me." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my lamp. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too it." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since your billet.' "The murder was done with it." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small maid will bring up your coffee." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom easy-going way." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the quick march!" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." lamp. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But certainly not very gracious." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do address. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a may have an influence upon European history." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be and have this put in the evening papers." clang of the bell. "Yes." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "It surprised me." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "And how did you verify them?" "And what did you learn from him?" "Well?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again there." them present such singular features as the strange train of "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "But I am all in the dark." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the extraordinary contortions. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'Oh, no.' in your London, you will know that the office of the company is of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, straighten it?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Well." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "It is very kind of you." morning." and no precautions can guard against." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. bare slabs of marble. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "How many? I don't know." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I meanly of me." habit of advancing money.' "'What then?' I asked. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Never." chill to my heart. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I correct than the official force." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful returning from some small jollification and was making his way "But not more so than I to find you." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Very truly yours, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." your co-operation." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "To the police?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "One horse?" interjected Holmes. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Yes, that is the Crown." "Married! When?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "It is true that I have been generally successful." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "'Yes.' true." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." himself to tell his story. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "She showed me, as I told you she would." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "In answer to an advertisement." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most fluttered off among the others. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the