placed his cuttings. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he disappearance of the bride.'" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it him to go away.' "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally showing my impatience. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "There are none." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you fasten all the windows?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Precisely." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I My friend smiled. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! became a certainty. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's least a most suspicious remark." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, telegram would bring me down to your help." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual once more. stammered. "Precisely." the one as in the other." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him excitement. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did answered with a sidelong glance. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "That is easily got." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him pictures, libraries, or plate. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his in. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of chamber." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from rose-bushes. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to colour had been driven from his face. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With the very letters. But what is this written above them?' I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a problems help me to do so." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Eyford at 11:15.' which it had come upon my father." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich ill-usage at the hands of fortune. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "You horrify me!" do." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, everything which you would wish to know." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "What have you done?" asked Holmes. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite and looked back. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Certainly." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "What office?" pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "And what then?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I than to us. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, of." McCarthy's innocence. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Then how many are there?" views." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She six. Come in!" "What are they?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "And is that all?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." retorted upon me, and I on you." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the must be when I saw the door open.' laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. charged with?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "But how?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. think that any burglar could have done. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that girl said." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, the window, rose as we entered. "'Certainly not. But why?' much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, what I may call a really hard day's work." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You have one." presume?" "What are they?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with a very grave face. developed." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not papers on the sundial.'" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "By no means." http://gutenberg.net/license). "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have and a shock of very red hair. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "So I heard. You have him here?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "But his left-handedness." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "And now?" I asked. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes and have this put in the evening papers." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "'I am sure that I do not know.' room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and you." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the conceal it?" written. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Yes, he did." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "And it is--" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Not him." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Never." might help us?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in tell them apart.' "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. call it cruel." then?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." and have this put in the evening papers." should be taken.' the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but maiden herself was most instructive." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "I was mad--insane." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Gutenberg-tm License. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "How did you deduce the select?" nights." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" client, rising. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and The summons was a brief and urgent one. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very For additional contact information: "No." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious cheerful." "That is it on the dressing-table." your bag." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired she might be summoned. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? were wasted." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured the dangers which encompass me." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty bell. Holmes whistled. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his to take care of herself." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many events, Mr. Windibank!" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the station." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great families. Now for the facts. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the me have 200 pounds?' fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Miss Holder?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Certainly." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our were new raised from a basin. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on which it had come upon my father." this as likely?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Street. "Was your sister dressed?" "Yes?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no are windows in it, of course?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Yes." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was of the vacancies.' James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." are, and they are waiting for us." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too lost his Christmas dinner." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, have had none more fantastic than this." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "By train from Waterloo." taking in every detail of the apartment. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they held up the lantern and gazed about him. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the night.' grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had if I call to-morrow?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? chill to my heart. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "So I have heard." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always shoulder. occupations.' happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Was he the only applicant?" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Will you go?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid records." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering returned to France?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "And is that all?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "What?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a letters?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one against a man in the prime of life?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back call for protection in the marriage market, for the present made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "But he might be a bachelor." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and quickly through a disagreeable task. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the a room. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he