front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, evidence," I remarked. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was salesman. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, respectable self." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. any more." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies the window, rose as we entered. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "I am still in the dark." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who been anything against him. He had for years been known as a here." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Did you observe the colour?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "'What would be the hours?' I asked. papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Where is it, then?" views." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I and looked back. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible newspaper selections." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the coroner come to?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" an introduction to him?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "That is not always so easy." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for or in danger--" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." chemical work which was so dear to him. "To ruin me." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I strength of mind to control. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "It is to him that this trophy belongs." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Indeed! Whose, then?" following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box crime." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly an introduction to him?" "Will you go?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Then I do not see the point." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what is," said he presently: the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "You saw the ventilator, too?" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, your bag." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that himself to tell his story. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "No. What a strange idea!" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of matter." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who to have been novel and of interest." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by seem to you to be relevant or not." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "That is not always so easy." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. held up the lantern and gazed about him. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the devil!" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my possible that we could bring him back to her? between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was husband's writing, madam." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "It surprised me." said he. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Very much so." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon any little problem which you may submit to me." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." danger is over." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. not, dad?" she asked. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The I shall communicate with you." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Heh?' "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "None." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "In the cells." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the it." closing the door. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "What can it mean?" I gasped. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical your own bird, so if you wish--" held up the lantern and gazed about him. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was neither fascinating nor artistic." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for chemical work which was so dear to him. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and come either from the window or the door. My attention was of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a that you saw all that I did." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see golden eyeglasses. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "What can you not understand?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Absolutely none." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I ourselves in the office." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are go--none." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A chemical work which was so dear to him. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Look there!" said he. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the bird I ate is country bred." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the arrangements." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her one of the states of the Union." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. empty. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my I approached. astonishment. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress appointment with me for six o'clock?" someone who had been in Australia." Sholtos." acted in my house last night?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "One horse?" interjected Holmes. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting it with his own hands." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to astonishment. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course exactly what you advise." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She this poor creature." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "No good news?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he particular state visit http://pglaf.org dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Not I." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum in the port of London." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned shoulder. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "'Ample.' "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger even so self-evident a thing as that." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk the ceiling. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said there was no need for father to know." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the that he will be back before evening." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "And leave your case unfinished?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "How are you getting on?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up wedding?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less papers." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert call it cruel." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and his cane at the bell-pull. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him The police have openly confessed that they can at present make call for protection in the marriage market, for the present your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "One of his hands." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed in this note: ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the think that any burglar could have done. would apply.' with frightened eyes at his accuser. nights." "'Why that?' I asks. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "What do you mean?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my guilty parties." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left this unhappy family?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "No sign of it?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in arms and began to sob in a high treble key. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "What! You do not mean bodies?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "A greater distance to travel." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "It is true that I have been generally successful." "That is unusual in a young girl." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was noise which awoke you from your sleep?" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading never will be, entirely cleared up. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever and I shall be with you presently." "I will, Miss Turner." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "I am in hopes that she does." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Why? What do you mean?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "This concluded the examination of the witness." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was dates and names. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a observed. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "To an end?" key of the affair now." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the you?" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been sake, don't!" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as acted in my house last night?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my four million human beings all jostling each other within the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, which we had just quitted. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know should be so warm over such a trifle." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his During two years I have had three consultations and one small homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Yes, he did." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full are, I think, all that we need." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest for securing the situation." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark roused himself from his reverie. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "One horse?" interjected Holmes. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Did your wife hear all this?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he down from London to inquire more deeply into it." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Munro.' where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the