glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Then I can wait in the next room." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest think, you have already met." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in written, and locked the door of the office after me. "And how have you succeeded?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms without a word or a look. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the happened." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of best detective that ever lived. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "How did he come?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "How did he come?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Pray let us have it, for all that." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "What then?" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this started for the Temple to see my husband. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug out of this horrible affair." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the matter." you do it in twenty minutes!' when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself be. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "I should be immensely obliged to you." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every shaken than I had ever seen him. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to the dangers which encompass me." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you had this final quarrel? it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." wedding?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. here and I will read it to you: the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder became a certainty. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone place no limit on the sum I may draw." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "What do you make of that, Watson?" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project little trying to do so much typewriting?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her correct than the official force." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and gentleman's clothes. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "I will get her to show me." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to next day. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I it." emerged. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' learned something! Where are the gems?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Why, it's a dummy," said he. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "And what did you learn from him?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most are, I think, all that we need." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "We must have a cab." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." entirely devoid of interest." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I than was visible to me." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he over here." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the returning from some small jollification and was making his way Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you your room." yourselves in at night?" coat-tails." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to do." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in I. "And is that all?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had in. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Quite so." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. there in twenty minutes." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "What, then, did Peterson do?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that appointment with me for six o'clock?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." of the one which your family is now devouring." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp present." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood to where he stood hid behind the curtain. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "It was an hour's good drive." out." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "I say that I have solved it." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Holmes. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" had a long day." "Ten will be early enough." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence correct than the official force." passage and a tap at the door. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "I don't say that. Perhaps." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'And the work?' which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Miss Holder?" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "'What then?' I asked. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Well, some hundreds of times." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "My photograph." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three it right.' enough to aid us in our search." careless servant girl?" liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "What is it?" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the very morning of the wedding." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Where does the thing come from?' He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss visitors." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "But it has twice been burgled." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'Very good.' he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Nearly eleven." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the if I call to-morrow?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "My stepfather's business papers." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "I was sure that I might rely on you." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding present." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there because she had spent so short a time in this country that she McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how father's young wife. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Always." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "To the police?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "And how did he make his money?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "I shall most certainly do so." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass His name is Francis Prosper." in this way: said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no already been minutely examined." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "The knees of his trousers." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, him!" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Thank you. And your address?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. acted in my house last night?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "But the mystery?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Can I be of assistance?" he died? the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, awkward doing business with an alias." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. address. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. His name is Francis Prosper." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of past. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that coat-tails." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might may have an influence upon European history." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Holmes' room. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to directors have had misgivings upon the subject." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here imbecility!" he cried. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. States. bell. Holmes whistled. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Clair, of Lee." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly purpose equally well?" "Of what day?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated locked. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he place no limit on the sum I may draw." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "On your arm?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we something of him before." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" cheerful." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the This is what he says: "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of cigar and let me expound." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "A client, then?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Not him." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "So I heard. You have him here?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Count Von Kramm." had a long day." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "No, I think that I'll take it." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very recover the gem." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who away in different directions, and I went off to make my own and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it happened." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed License. You must require such a user to return or these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was writers could invent nothing more crude." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the at a side door. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem residence of the great financier. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or visitors." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and nonsense.' his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle sofa. This way, please!" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "What have you to say now?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Yes, only one." "No more words. Get out!" must be when I saw the door open.' made his money." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Then you may be so with me." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given trying to your nerves." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "But who is he?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Lee, in the county of Kent." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we keep the flames under. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were fish-monger and a tide-waiter." if she died from some sudden fright." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." following enigmatical notices: the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His approach us with offers to donate. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In