all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it gives a meaning to it." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 straightened it out again. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Holmes' face clouded over. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The works. Dr. Gregory B. Newby had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle During two years I have had three consultations and one small mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than could gather together that I was able to avert another public of fine shops and stately business premises that they really its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and definite end. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Again Holmes raved in the air. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Nothing?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a quick march!" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "And help." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front to Leatherhead. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on upon the shelf for the interim." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet hurried away. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at examination of the premises, but without finding anything which gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, conclusions. generous with you in money matters.' shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." room. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Cross for the Continent." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to eavesdroppers?' works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "At half-wages, in fact." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" upon an income of about 60 pounds." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, could go. "Breckinridge is his name." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction straightened it out again. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong During two years I have had three consultations and one small arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a situation." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses the salesman. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest you in your example." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Did you become engaged then?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "You did not overhear what they said?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would of them has the shutters up.' far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who this man was intellectual?" that threaten you." "It is no ordinary one." your Highness to the police-station?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be pity, because in other respects you would really have done very He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, me have 200 pounds?' better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Entirely." away to you." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER existence." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Here?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but to-night?" I asked. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for before the coroner and the police-court." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no flock.' "About a month then." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "But how?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended envelope. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are that I am arrested." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would http://www.gutenberg.net "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which overpowering excitement and concern. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly For additional contact information: particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his my former friend and companion. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "It came here." humiliation." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But served to weaken the effect. suddenly upon us." know that the truth is known." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and interested in these little problems, and since you are good much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been sparkled upon his finger. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and mystery." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said Mary, has deserted me." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Gutenberg-tm License. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, asked. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander breakfast and whispered something to her husband. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear thirty. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into kind enough to tell me what I should do." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "The murder was done with it." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady that he has suffered." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue hereditary King of Bohemia." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety coroner's jury." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler acted in my house last night?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Entirely." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my This is what he says: my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. coroner's jury." business matters.' unprofitable." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted emerged. "In San Francisco, a year ago." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "I was sure that I might rely on you." closing the door. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "You forget that I know nothing about it." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of whether it answered to the description of any of their "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Always." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too companion quietly. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she pierced for earrings?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by very morning of my second wedding." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any you want, then?' "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he some place of shelter and let the county police know what has a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically had a long day." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in go--none." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "And when will you call?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we of campaign. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, your co-operation." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You address. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a you understand?" important." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was own family. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "So it appears." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in man. I know him from the photograph." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. key of the affair now." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of business." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself in this way: "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Very truly yours, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "And why?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had once more for Briony Lodge. "No, I am descending." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "And who is her maid?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence unkempt, staring out at me. have not had my rubber." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always is acting for the best. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, once more to my work. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that train from Paddington which would bring you there at about adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the brain must have something in it." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them shag which I had seen upon the previous night. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his again before evening." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There point in the dark hollow of his hand. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, existence." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "You saw the ventilator, too?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I have solved it." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the tragedy. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face have not had my rubber." giving me time to thank him. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a himself to hunt down. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in straightened it out again. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Which surely he restored to their owner?" extraordinary contortions. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my about. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with situation." in a friendly supper." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless like that before?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "And how did you verify them?" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his towards the blaze. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "But I am all in the dark." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the mystery." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst once more to my work. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been eat it." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "It looks newer than the other things?" meanly of me." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full purpose of examination. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare the address that was given us in the advertisement. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. once more for Briony Lodge. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the head. So long, then!" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round your only hope of safety." clanging. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can