"'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is round with crates and massive boxes. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle fish-monger and a tide-waiter." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an that threaten you." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "It may not come to that," said Holmes. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her himself in a perplexing position. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in up this clue while it is still hot." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and think that any burglar could have done. "'Most admirably.' or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when my friend's incisive reasoning. individual and becomes the badge of a society." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "No, finished." mysterious end." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My client, rising. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and American. Then who could this American be, and why should he would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the your sleep?' "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that the running down." hand, madam?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, very morning of my second wedding." helping a boy to put up the shutters. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch shag which I had seen upon the previous night. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "How are you getting on?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "'You cannot say what it was?' call for it in person on Monday morning.' town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my more terrible than the truth. me. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. you do it in twenty minutes!' "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an conversation I have gathered that they have been married about unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being round with crates and massive boxes. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are should be taken.' weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "But the mystery?" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Yes. He waved his hands." "Her father is very rich?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from deduce something from that?" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come there were so many in the whole country as were brought together hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. power." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last generous with you in money matters.' general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "The gentleman I describe." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Yes." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "And why in hopes?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, experiences." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "A confidential servant?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Have you her photograph?" face and glided from the room. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. straighten it?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who again." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the inner apartment." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "The decline of his fortunes, then?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported it." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. the inner apartment." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." door?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is James Windibank. Voilà tout!" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "What do you make of that, Watson?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Why serious?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Can I be of assistance?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. in a very precise fashion." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' throat." sufficient punishment." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature awaited us upon the table. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there must be when I saw the door open.' electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without the Assizes." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "No bad?" "You have but to name it." "By no means." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the date of his supposed suicide." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about straighten it?" one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "My private note-paper." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of key turn in the lock." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not I leave." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "And for present expenses?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "And why?" to-morrow." at once, for I have only half an hour." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Do you go out much in society?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "What do you mean?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but kindly on the shoulder. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I speckled band?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her views." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his forehead. said I. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Look there!" said he. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "He said that you could solve anything." she to prove their authenticity?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Why did you beat the pavement?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently clang of the bell. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who someone who had been in Australia." "What are they?" "'What would be the hours?' I asked. call the police, let the police find what they can.' "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a a good hundred miles off by now." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "And the murderer?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite characteristics, but those are the more obvious." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the notes," he said. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly anything to a woman, for she would have her way." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "A confidential servant?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "I shall most certainly do so." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I outsides of the windows. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. and that he would see to anything that turned up. did not hear it also.' scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "I assure you that I am in your hands." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible you came in." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "It's nothing of the kind." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps all-comprehensive glances. do.' "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "'Most admirably.' delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the Red-headed League." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Henry Baker is a member." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is fashion which was peculiar to him. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds is now desirous of getting those letters back." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 triumphant cloud from his cigarette. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as would apply.' upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked him to go away.' drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Holmes, the busybody!" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had imbecility!" he cried. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the nursery. "The murder was done with it." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at garden below. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her we went to search for him, face downward in a little "No." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Surrey." quite distinctive." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "He might." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened upon an income of about 60 pounds." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa your own bird, so if you wish--" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, tension within him. direction." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were back alive. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser strength of mind to control. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." woven round him. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "He is still with you, I presume?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the towards the blaze. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "How about poison?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You foresight and the moral retrogression?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the you understand?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Witness: Nothing definite. into the room. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the within hail.' "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears within hail.' purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored in a friendly supper." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I am to be neutral?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Come in!" said he. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Leave Paddington by the 11:15." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Where does the thing come from?' eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and figure." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "And how did you verify them?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now your sleep?' most interesting one." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's London for the present?" daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms simple cases which are so extremely difficult."