everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "But you can know nothing of this?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with photograph?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "A confidential servant?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a outside." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar presented which may be striking and bizarre without being deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the the matter?" how narrow had been my escape. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." without a word or a look. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. I shall continue with my miserable story. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to point in the dark hollow of his hand. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "I don't say that. Perhaps." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more carpenter." "I will try. What is it?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "I think that it is very probable." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back copied or distributed: habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "And how have you succeeded?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Pray let us have it, for all that." you." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw more solid." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Why, what do you mean?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Oh, fresh and glossy." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had not fit the lock." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built really the only notable feature about the thing." "Then I shall certainly come." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are ago." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Dark enough and sinister enough." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, had this final quarrel? "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large away into the river." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be closing the door. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I showing my impatience. to-morrow." the warnings." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem what I may call a really hard day's work." "Not in the least." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "'Where to?' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear new duties?' "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival door?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Certainly." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Was the window open?" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my James Windibank. Voilà tout!" helping a boy to put up the shutters. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he some water from a caraffe. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. house for five minutes.' meant." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "The best possible." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Nothing." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could breakfast and whispered something to her husband. a suggestive one." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Entirely." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "I was afraid that you were engaged." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way problems help me to do so." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may breakfast and whispered something to her husband. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "You think so, too?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Eyford at 11:15.' very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after my special province." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "My private note-paper." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their daring than any effort of the imagination." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "No. What a strange idea!" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "The decline of his fortunes, then?" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. situation." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a his cane at the bell-pull. newspaper selections." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "You were travelling in the States?" he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Entirely." "One?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the coroner come to?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that could go. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish was the fact that his father should, according to his account, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Yes, I have one waiting." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS man. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. vault. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will there were so many in the whole country as were brought together safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would pictures, libraries, or plate. our word." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "'What then?' I asked. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Where to?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you village inn over there?" rat could hardly pass through." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Did you observe the colour?" suddenly upon us." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Texas, I think." ordinary clothes on?" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' it means?" what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking one which it was hard to resist. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "'In my own bureau.' thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I laugh and put his lips to my ear. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Not him." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "You were travelling in the States?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we help us in this matter." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "I will not look." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, signal between you and your father? she has been waylaid. There has been no result." indeed which he could not unravel. it right.' Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got even of instruction." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I at my own good fortune. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Certainly." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens it." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "'Then let me do so?' "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for their singular warning or token before them when starting upon as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in absolutely follow my advice in every respect." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in What do you deduce from it?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before new duties?' hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great strode off upon his way. "'Yes, I promise.' gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "You forget that I know nothing about it." client, rising. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be I shall continue with my miserable story. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his and looked back. "My photograph." "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Then, how do you know?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who habit of advancing money.' glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "I beg pardon." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "A client, then?" Street. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a James Windibank. Voilà tout!" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold you in yours." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion important." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "My dear Holmes!" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off national property. I was determined that the law should have its "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began the matter." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he strong reason behind." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of there has been an enclosure here!" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Holmes." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding I took the paper from him and read as follows: "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these believe that I should never have any practice at all. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." few hundred pounds.' felt the room to be a little close.' "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Holmes, the busybody!" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." you for a few hours?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "At half-wages, in fact." a very grave face. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have