that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which true." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Then you may be so with me." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really light and attacked it." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "The Cedars?" correct than the official force." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "None." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you room. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against grasp, he hurried from the room. towards the blaze. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "I say it is." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, despaired of." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his both be extremely obliged.' "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm events, Mr. Windibank!" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one used to be." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "I assure you that I am in your hands." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Dr. Becher's." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. the inner apartment." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "I will get her to show me." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the handed it to him. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "That was it, sir." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "But what will you do?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "I fear not." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can lamp. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from and the whole place is in a blaze." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual question you as to those details which seem to me to be most manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, not fit the lock." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. on in his house." Doctor, of the paper and the date." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias off." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that affection." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "My dear Holmes!" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes heavy and sharp instrument." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "He is still with you, I presume?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. be. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be conduct the inquiry." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in matter." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I within hail.' shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock your most interesting statement." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "The landlord of the Alpha." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three was a loud and authoritative tap. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "I am all attention, madam." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a said he. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of maid will bring up your coffee." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was fear." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for secret." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no read it out to me." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "And I say east," said my patient. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "The King of Scandinavia." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "And who is her maid?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic him to be an active member of the medical profession." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "No." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." six. Come in!" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to there were so many in the whole country as were brought together that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so DISSOLVED. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst II. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt depend upon my doing so.' stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon them present such singular features as the strange train of whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do more terrible than the truth. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of gone. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the one as in the other." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'Stolen!' he cried. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." will take you up to see the machine.' as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put and it need not interfere very much with one's other "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two tightly behind him. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From man. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that dear old homesteads?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly that you saw all that I did." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' happened." have established a very serious case against the son of the was lame." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was clang of the bell. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and call it cruel." "Come in!" said Holmes. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." a suggestive one." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "And what then?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very away to you." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still subject to the trademark license, especially commercial took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," hurried away. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it his fortune, and I went back to pa. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "And the murderer?" "Eh? What was that?" the nursery. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Because he was handy and would come cheap." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a ways of our fellow-men." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "'I have already given you my word.' summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Again Holmes raved in the air. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which that I can to serve you." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless that he will be back before evening." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Perhaps we may make them less so." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "On the contrary, this is the right side." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a business." beyond words. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I opened a pocket-book and took out a note. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "No good news?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second name is different." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "But his left-handedness." "Very murderous indeed." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "I guessed as much." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards nonsense.' "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage other lovers by making love himself." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Serpentine Avenue. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project forehead. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "'There is a drive, then?' A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Have you it here?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it strode off upon his way. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." redistribution. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me,