waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed His smile broadened. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Could he throw no light?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by with you alone." exactly what you advise." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Yes." "That is it on the dressing-table." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that chamber." village inn over there?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "What then?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some business at Coburg Square is serious." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself wanted for ourselves." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in I shall continue with my miserable story. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you husband's writing, madam." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I is worth.' access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it fatally injured? Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes good-night and bustled off upon her way. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." wanted for ourselves." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so lips." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "My Mary? Impossible!" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "So I heard. You have him here?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great that threaten you." comes from the middle window." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it be best to do. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Just look it up, then." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "You were travelling in the States?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose crime." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, so far?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "You heard nothing yourself last night?" coat-tails." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece union?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This he. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." of Mr. Rucastle's." so.' "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that of a light. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, you do it in twenty minutes!' "Yes, but only for you and me." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "No sign of it?" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm outside. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is bearing upon the case." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "It must be recovered." you came in." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened off." of them has the shutters up.' "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of and have this put in the evening papers." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that means taking possession of that which another person has a prior sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "I have a cab outside." "'Where to?' for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as breakfast." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "'I am sure that I do not know.' is four-and-twenty." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the Assizes." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Upon what point?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our your own bird, so if you wish--" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment morning." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call again." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic without success. At last the little money which I had saved began also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "And you don't know his address?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Awake, Watson?" he asked. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Not yet." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this bird of prey. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life morning." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "And you thought he was pulled back?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up not as remarkable as your advertisement." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Nothing?" danger is over." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two read over the extraordinary announcement. room?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" note?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a any more." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, mysterious end." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Where did he live, then?" "But how?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United too. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "And sit in the dark?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in pictures, libraries, or plate. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "And you thought he was pulled back?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to what I may call a really hard day's work." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who excitement. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There means taking possession of that which another person has a prior to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Upon what point?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "What, then, did Peterson do?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, wife's character?" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated to-night." weary and pale-looking. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted James Windibank. Voilà tout!" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Has he come with you to-night?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Perfectly so." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of assist you in forming an opinion." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and learned something! Where are the gems?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Yes, there are nearly always some there." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that possible that we could bring him back to her? it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I the matter?" and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "So I heard. You have him here?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in before, for it was considerably after midnight. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "'Yes, it was gone.' Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing fire. You quite follow me?" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "'Yes, sir.' the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "But I am all in the dark." just called myself is not exactly my own." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls past. "I cannot imagine." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "No. His orders were to stay in the house." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "'Ten to two.' laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor will be renamed. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do go back?" "It missed him, then?" became a certainty. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Then you may be so with me." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the brain must have something in it." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered down from London to inquire more deeply into it." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. thought that she would have been so carried away." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence arms and began to sob in a high treble key. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a stood on the top of it. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me was already answered. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "'Certainly,' I answered. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "And who is her maid?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the empty. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both married her." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with there was no need for father to know." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some prisoner's face. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large have been better. It is all right." imbecility!" he cried. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "No, I am descending." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then