Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "'What then?' I asked. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "What do you mean?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "No, but the enclosure is." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "His face fell immediately. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "But I am all in the dark." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my questioning and rather startled gaze. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in or in danger--" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "My private note-paper." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a were unconscious?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "In answer to an advertisement." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten outside. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my have an American origin." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of people don't know." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the fatally injured? little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his taking in every detail of the apartment. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind as he remarks, very much against the son." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "No, but the enclosure is." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a posted to-day." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole acquaintance?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my new duties?' subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "The murder was done with it." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "How did that help you?" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "That is possible." mysterious end." cost them two and thirty pounds." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Mary, has deserted me." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Not particularly." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." room had already been engaged for us. make me his representative both with the servants and with the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." said I. "ARAT," I read. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "'Ten to two.' them, and came down just as you departed. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "And on what day did he meet his death?" hair?' so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and was keenly on my guard against him. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Holmes, the busybody!" room had already been engaged for us. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer and glanced through. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing in this note: grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" writers could invent nothing more crude." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to into the room. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And For additional contact information: stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so enter Dr. Roylott's room." "I will, Miss Turner." "How did you trace it, then?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the wife's character?" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours asked. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On gigantic client. and inquire as to the address." hardly wander." man. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true coat-tails." your only hope of safety." habit of advancing money.' gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Pope's Court. call the police, let the police find what they can.' abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "BALLARAT." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of or in danger--" room. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed nothing of it?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, tail." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed really the only notable feature about the thing." "'Entirely.' Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no of his shoulders. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of arrested. You then--" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a of the one which your family is now devouring." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed strength in the others." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that about. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, his eyes and forehead. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon excitement. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the coroner's jury." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "What then?" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your your bag." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "But it has twice been burgled." "Yes." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Was the window open?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "I am still in the dark." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." bedroom door." "Certainly." John Swain, of St. Augustine. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must few hundred pounds.' that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Nothing." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the walking." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "That is not always so easy." detained." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. to tackle the facts." only touch the interest." opened the door, and slipped through. "Yes, but only for you and me." shoulder; "he's all right." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Then, how do you know?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike again." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing room?" my room." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "But he might be a bachelor." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De seen the man in the road." "My opinion is in no way altered." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the child." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Now, then, what's the last entry?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the them?" mystery!" learned something! Where are the gems?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Then you may entirely rely on me." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But investigation." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Did you become engaged then?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and you found me to-night--and running through the front room she grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "We were both in the photograph." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean washing it down with a long draught of water. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips that you saw all that I did." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes photograph?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the window when the police appeared." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he the matter?" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Perfectly so." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to that he will be back before evening." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite already been minutely examined." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely had a long day." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "I was sure that I might rely on you." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "On Monday." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were formed some opinion?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see address. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." answer." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this I held the little printed slip to the light. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. at once, for I have only half an hour." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Nor running a chance of arrest?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind he. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. beg that you will break it off." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I suggested at once that there must be a communication between the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, room had already been engaged for us. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and bedroom door." "What can you not understand?" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the again on its way. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Well?" less than 26s. 4d. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a which was all perfectly true. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." correct than the official force." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having at my own good fortune. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Dirty?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Sholtos." in the dead of the night?' "Could he throw no light?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "And why in hopes?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "To the police?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "To ruin me." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction to-night?' "May I see it?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. and looked back. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "The doctor?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "And the murderer?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Where, then, is my wife?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint at home. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that to miss it." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "'And the work?' article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "No. What a strange idea!" that?' while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who green of the new foliage.