The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we lost his Christmas dinner." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in some water from a caraffe. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the approach us with offers to donate. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, do you make of it all?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his just called myself is not exactly my own." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I have solved it." "It was an hour's good drive." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his a few minutes he said that it would be all right. entirely devoid of interest." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and cause to be." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very lost nothing by them." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "None. Neville wrote those words." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the coroner come to?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "He said too much." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over mysterious end." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of have I gained?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was recall any case within my experience which looked at the first any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "To ruin me." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Pray do so." already referred to. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been fatally injured? Count Von Kramm." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Then I do not see the point." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Miss Holder?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and nonsense.' meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the developed." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, the tragedy. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon later, upon the night of May 2nd." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in me upon any point which I do not make clear." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "And I." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a ways of our fellow-men." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that you." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon and the church but not where the lady lived." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical back into the street. "Where to?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Holmes' thin, eager face. delighted to hear it," he said. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. to-night." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, if I call to-morrow?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their mysterious end." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Pope's Court. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Thank you. Pray proceed." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most was the fact that his father should, according to his account, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "When did she vanish, then?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, easy-going way." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. to-night's adventure." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Nothing?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "And your mother is alive?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again are, and they are waiting for us." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Yes." "Will you bet, then?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming remarked. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. are windows in it, of course?" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "That also I could fathom." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, 1.F. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "The knees of his trousers." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Yes, sir." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents exactly what you advise." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, and looked back. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my business?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange and have this put in the evening papers." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly outside." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant was feeling which was the fattest.' "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "No." "I think that it is very probable." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical relief. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been me. You must get home instantly and act." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. you, my dear young lady?' vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." late." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and my special province." footfalls from the street. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant weigh very heavily upon my conscience." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been public press." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how that there was nothing in it, after all." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the passage and a tap at the door. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, But Holmes shook his head gravely. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Yes, it would be as well." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly acquaintance?" III. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, desk. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk comes from the middle window." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that good for you to do.' "And leave your case unfinished?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "The decline of his fortunes, then?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without unkempt, staring out at me. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 suspect him." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a like gravel from a pit.' his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of tear off another piece?' companion. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few call for protection in the marriage market, for the present annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its three of the beryls in it, was missing. fishes. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time now. It seems that there had been some informality about their across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Precisely." "And your mother is alive?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal burst out into a roar of laughter. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "I say that I have solved it." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first followed. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "I beg pardon." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" knowledge of the world." ran thus: to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently was already answered. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a absorbing." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid over here." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in morning." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more whereabouts. bled considerably." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his amused." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "She will not sell." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, that you can jump it.' "How are you getting on?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses relation between them, and what the object of his repeated hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in back alive. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I even so self-evident a thing as that." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather at once, for I have only half an hour." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already of campaign. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Yes, from Horsham." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I photograph a cabinet?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night young Openshaw's." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "You think that he is dead?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Yes, all." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower she to prove their authenticity?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or looking up at the numbers of the houses." bell. Holmes whistled. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really were unconscious?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the situation." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on new acquaintance to Baker Street. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with minor matters until to-morrow." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Where to?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "On your arm?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "We were both in the photograph." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be here." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to McCarthy's innocence. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Was he the only applicant?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary of note-paper. It read in this fashion: that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that an introduction to him?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one go back?" "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is