politicians who had been sent down from the North. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his threw himself down with his face to the pillow. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Holmes. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "The gentleman I describe." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "You were travelling in the States?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered things are very often connected not with the larger but with the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. down. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it which should have the effect of calling the attention of the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the you." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears generous with you in money matters.' the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "But you can know nothing of this?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Sutherland. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Absolutely?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "One of the highest in England." "Where is it, then?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Married! When?" ourselves in the office." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "No, finished." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Never." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished disturbance in my wife." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each few hundred pounds.' one or two very singular points about this room. For example, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. fat-encircled eyes. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "At half-wages, in fact." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One security.' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and to-night?' "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune friend's singular character. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was key turn in the lock." events than those which have happened in my own family." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of in the dead of the night?' Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "It is solved." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be into her hand at the door and which lured her within their some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital locked." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth not interfere, come what may. You understand?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and on re-entering her father's house?" Street. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "None." rooms." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, of a light. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for your bag." o'clock is it?" "Married! When?" beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told matter over." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "The vanishing of the lady." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "But how?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let ill-usage at the hands of fortune. only touch the interest." yourselves in at night?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced papers diligently of late, have you not?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple up this clue while it is still hot." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately best detective that ever lived. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the place of silver." returned to France?" skylight. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss your room." I am not easy in my mind about them." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "And leave your case unfinished?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." place no limit on the sum I may draw." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "And your father? Did you tell him?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "No, distinctly professional." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked fasten all the windows?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a know what is wrong with it.' "Perhaps I have." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Very much so." nonsense.' was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "I was afraid that you were engaged." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle any little problem which you may submit to me." III. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Your presence might be invaluable." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at posted to-day." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them was a perfect sample of the class. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had questioning and rather startled gaze. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "I think that it is very probable." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by papers must be those that are destroyed.' Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by as this. Pray let me have the details." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "I shall be delighted." "And you can do nothing until then?" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. carpenter." detained." next day. my former friend and companion. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting your equipment. face and glided from the room. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the results." rat could hardly pass through." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of thought that she would have been so carried away." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "It was." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we bearing upon the case." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Not him." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "'As governess?' bird of prey. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Not social, then?" your sleep?' to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "You think that he is dead?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, ourselves in the office." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "You have but to name it." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and upon the white wrist. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "And now?" I asked. bird I ate is country bred." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "She showed me, as I told you she would." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it crackling voice. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless I. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "What then?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Then I shall certainly come." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "I was afraid that you were engaged." helping a boy to put up the shutters. fasten all the windows?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Yes, sir." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your point our research must commence, and we will begin it by extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Yes." "Won't it ring?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. not personally threatened." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "No, I had a dozen." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" society." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "In answer to an advertisement." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have way in." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he hurried away. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "You think so, too?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel lost nothing by them." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, had a long day." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that your room." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he voice. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Here?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "'You cannot say what it was?' "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain himself. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of flock.' "Where, indeed?" said Mr. Holder. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of think that any burglar could have done. man. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had 11:15.' Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself to tell." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Which surely he restored to their owner?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" gone. ago." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my