"I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "And did you observe any change in her then?" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I one of the states of the Union." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until daring than any effort of the imagination." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, appointment with me for six o'clock?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "The knees of his trousers." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "I cannot imagine." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "You have a clue?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "'Which dealer's?' suggested at once that there must be a communication between the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is off." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Yes." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as himself to tell his story. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I closing the door. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was even so self-evident a thing as that." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I official police." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of always that they were such commands as a lady might with "And I say east," said my patient. here." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Mrs. Toller serenely. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "My last client of the sort was a king." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." forebodings. companion. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was manager. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. chill to my heart. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. shall not find me ungrateful." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week astonishment. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the was feeling which was the fattest.' considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "That was it, sir." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the answer." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. there was no need for father to know." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" direction." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free what these perils are?" heavily into it. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. looking up at the numbers of the houses." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "And why?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less points in connection with it which never have been, and probably to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. whether it answered to the description of any of their train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "The Cedars?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner brought there to personate someone, and the real person is do.' the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a business?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival helping a boy to put up the shutters. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time that he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Well?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. might have a private word with us. to-night?" I asked. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "But his left-handedness." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "The murder was done with it." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "I warn you that they are very incomplete." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Indeed! Whose, then?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all outsides of the windows. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, man. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Have you it here?" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he impression behind it as though a window had gently closed She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have I am not easy in my mind about them." "Who by?" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are depend upon your compliance." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left you in your example." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his these bleak autumnal evenings." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "You forget that I know nothing about it." footfalls from the street. head. So long, then!" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building been able to understand it, in a very few words. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship subject to the trademark license, especially commercial and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, my special province." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "If so, much may have happened between." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "And how did he make his money?" article?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as corner of the building. meant it for the best. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "I have solved it." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, said he. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Again Holmes raved in the air. the morning and make my own way in the world.' lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "On Monday." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. your sleep?' empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, despair." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Yes, all." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." are, I think, all that we need." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." always that they were such commands as a lady might with thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Nearly eleven." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the strong and stiff." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the young Openshaw's." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "And why in hopes?" over here." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined you in your example." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting standing smiling on the door-step. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal geese which you supplied to the Alpha." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, out of this horrible affair." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in highly," said Holmes. "I promise," said Holmes. business matters.' delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Never." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "'Why that?' I asks. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and rose-bushes. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Again Holmes raved in the air. posted to-day." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Yes." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could rose-bushes. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the way in everything. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of bird of prey. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "It must be recovered." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "And what then?" "And how have you succeeded?" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and there." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. the very morning of the wedding." feature." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had frequently gained my first real insight into the character of or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my or other trace. But how on earth--" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of know that the truth is known." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. congratulate you again." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." away into the river." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "'Never,' said I. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "I know where it is." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "You have carte blanche." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Yes." "Only as much as we can deduce." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful the room while you explain this matter?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much such attractions and accomplishments?' straighten it?" upon the white wrist. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can possible that we could bring him back to her? here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, must be when I saw the door open.' without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "There are none." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good,