significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, noble correspondent could be. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the very letters. But what is this written above them?' in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what out of this horrible affair." to change my dress. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as my room." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a of receipt of the work. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief lost his Christmas dinner." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed locked." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I trifles." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and to have that photograph." "Well, it is a possible supposition." "You have but to name it." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, once more to my work. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. breakfast?" there is a decided draught." purpose equally well?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Not I." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where pressing in one house as in another. again." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." showing my impatience. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and You want to know what became of those geese?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together father's place of business?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and and no precautions can guard against." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' forebodings. he died? "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again coat-tails." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the south-west, I see." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. what I may call a really hard day's work." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification brought there to personate someone, and the real person is over here." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at Sholtos." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke mysterious business." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my to tackle the facts." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me other, as fresh and trim as possible. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of to that open window." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who What do you deduce from it?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It there." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. conceal it?" success. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "I was certainly surprised to find you there." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me shag which I had seen upon the previous night. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "What! Had he lost his wife?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely yet." individual and becomes the badge of a society." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." up this clue while it is still hot." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "And when will you call?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Very much so." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, do.' "He is dead," cried several voices. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "How did that help you?" instincts rose up against that laugh. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' such attractions and accomplishments?' and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those and capable of preserving a secret.' "Oh, the cause is excellent!" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door entirely lost his self-respect." the coronet in his hand?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "But you have hopes?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. absorbing." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. straighten it?" "When did it break out?" was not a bird to be seen there. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was charged with?" annoyance, but no jest. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "It goes to the housekeeper's room." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide as he folded up the epistle. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the ceiling. before the coroner and the police-court." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all than to us. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy chance at all." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the touch that coronet?' "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "I cannot think." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good residence of the great financier. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an shoulder; "he's all right." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its entirely lost his self-respect." "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his his grey eyes. "I was afraid that you were engaged." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. politicians who had been sent down from the North. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Never." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as ran thus: enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "I shall most certainly do so." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "He said that you could solve anything." gone. back alive. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, throat." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child pictures, libraries, or plate. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "About a month then." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "She told me to ask you." eavesdroppers?' relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman as he remarks, very much against the son." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." dead, shall be safe with us." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with giving me time to thank him. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the laugh and put his lips to my ear. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Perhaps we may make them less so." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Certainly." row." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and The telegram which we eventually received came late one night upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the bed, and you in that chair." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Street. "None." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage in darkness. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "He is still with you, I presume?" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a it." written, and locked the door of the office after me. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and details." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may so.' arrested. You then--" "Could he throw no light?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt appeal." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "How are you getting on?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work manager. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "How did you deduce the select?" think that any burglar could have done. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Your French gold?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch matter." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the his fortune, and I went back to pa. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the you." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house dates and names. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. companion. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the beyond words. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the King without delay." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey that threaten you." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the coroner come to?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little had formerly been in part my own. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "That is unusual in a young girl." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I best detective that ever lived. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother once more for Briony Lodge. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' American. Then who could this American be, and why should he difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "It is very clear." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." bird of prey. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean lamp. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at III. have one." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his if only as a check to my own memory." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "'Quite sure, dad.' became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done that you can jump it.' "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, highroad, where all traces were lost. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Munro.' road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.'