fait accompli?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "None." "Has he come with you to-night?" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up you?' "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Yes, he did." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass him!" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the a good hundred miles off by now." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. persecution?" father's place of business?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the could gather together that I was able to avert another public Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "It is half-past ten now." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was murdered man." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined letters?" true." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save been anything against him. He had for years been known as a like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "How did he come?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." morning." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Has he come with you to-night?" was a lad." "No, finished." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "And help." someone who had been in Australia." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very that I am arrested." "My own seal." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry particular state visit http://pglaf.org Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. was lame." envelope. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "How can you tell that?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, with you?" McCarthy's innocence. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the coronet in his hand?" who was a member of your goose club." the dangers which encompass me." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle strange features which were associated with the two crimes which elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with pity, because in other respects you would really have done very fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest to surprise her." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every words came to my lips. John Swain, of St. Augustine. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "No, thank goodness, she did not." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for there." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so had no one to advise her at such a crisis." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned quite distinctive." "Where is it, then?" in the hope of finding them." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. but preventing her from injuring another. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. been shamefully used." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the room while you explain this matter?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR morning." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and than was visible to me." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of do.' of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could your Highness to the police-station?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. hour?' customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner green of the new foliage. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called impression behind it as though a window had gently closed The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right entirely lost his self-respect." "That sounds a little paradoxical." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon down. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he it with his own hands." "What is it?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "And now?" I asked. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. said he. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: forebodings. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I should like to see him very much." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It several quiet little villages up there." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you waste of energy." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "And what then?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Will you go?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he in one or two places in England?' and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Not I." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to than was visible to me." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the sufficient punishment." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head and your relations to her." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "But the mystery?" to have that photograph." over with notes and figures. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. had this final quarrel? conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in ourselves in the office." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "'Certainly not.' remarked. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "What are they?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "In San Francisco, a year ago." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "The murder was done with it." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Holmes, the busybody!" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "I do." "Do you know him?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a you found me to-night--and running through the front room she but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "A confidential servant?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have and files of the old papers, following the future career of every slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis standing smiling on the door-step. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that you for a few hours?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Do you go out much in society?" "'Yes, I promise.' figure." "No, distinctly professional." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Do you go out much in society?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "What! You do not mean bodies?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend once more. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that read over the extraordinary announcement. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two indeed which he could not unravel. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to morning." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Of what?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were peculiar to him. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Holmes rather sternly. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to yet." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave think you a quite exceptional woman." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "And I to find an enemy." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "We must have a cab." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "My last client of the sort was a king." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, families. Now for the facts. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same noble correspondent could be. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the least a fellow-countryman. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the walking." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to true." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all were wasted." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Entirely." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before ways including including checks, online payments and credit card I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting as yours." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I am all attention, madam." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my crime. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it