"You know me, then?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "'Very good.' "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the habit of advancing money.' story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, up this clue while it is still hot." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Stoke Moran." "How did you deduce the select?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "And how did you find out?" thin legs towards the fire. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship down from London to inquire more deeply into it." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, ashen face. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Precisely." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Frequently." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "You think so, too?" "'Yes, sir.' if only as a check to my own memory." depend upon your compliance." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray will he say when he returns?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my miles off. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out less than 26s. 4d. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had shag which I had seen upon the previous night. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Perhaps we may make them less so." "At what time?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will was a perfect sample of the class. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to outside." round with crates and massive boxes. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the cigars in their mouths. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and conceal it?" "'Where to?' "My dear Holmes!" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Your French gold?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small here and I will read it to you: "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. did not hear it also.' "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "What office?" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Proceed, then." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Texas, I think." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? arms and began to sob in a high treble key. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Yes, only one." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Street. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet the inquest, and which are worth considering." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets for the market.' surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "What!" he roared. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is of the way of danger. gives a meaning to it." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Project Gutenberg-tm works. closely." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "And Miss Sutherland?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who it were putty." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "He disappeared so suddenly." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't hands. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack just called myself is not exactly my own." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "'Most admirably.' house for five minutes.' "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a what is your own theory as to what took place?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "To an end?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt sit on the left-hand side of the driver." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "You did not overhear what they said?" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently you in your example." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! again before evening." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil clanging. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the presented more singular features than that which was associated and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that daring than any effort of the imagination." if she died from some sudden fright." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the do." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "My Mary? Impossible!" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Very truly yours, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "So I am. Very much so." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He cigar and let me expound." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and him." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "But of what society?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." copied or distributed: persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be which our visitor detailed to us. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "You have the photograph?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the footfalls from the street. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on You want to know what became of those geese?" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he unprecedented a position." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I License. You must require such a user to return or "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, to a more successful conclusion." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "I have seen the police." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Pray continue your narrative." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third were wasted." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone are, and they are waiting for us." to that open window." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "You have compromised yourself seriously." footfalls from the street. matters immensely." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his tapping his fingers upon the table. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner and the whole place is in a blaze." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we case-book, which he consulted. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Then I am your man." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "'Most admirably.' me, and I could not think that his explanation of the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, think you a quite exceptional woman." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences father's young wife. "But of what society?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "I guessed as much." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Who was the criminal, then?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. to Leatherhead. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the Red-headed League." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an this man was intellectual?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been confronted him. and have this put in the evening papers." there." for and were ordered to this address. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a was a loud and authoritative tap. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The when your master had gone out." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Witness: It was. "We must have a cab." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of wedding?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon me, and I could not think that his explanation of the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere the best of training." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "And sit in the dark?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "What can you not understand?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Heh?' strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to late." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should one of them." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even already been minutely examined." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" shall use the carriage to-night." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I your co-operation." throat." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore memory. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "My own seal." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to carpenter." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' one of the states of the Union." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "And help." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just that I am arrested." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "What do you mean?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Whose house is it?" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On has little to do with my story." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening three fields round his house, and there he would take his "And how have you succeeded?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which in him." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, or in danger--" I leave." name is different." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any business." "It came here." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue leaning back in his chair. "Deserted you?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his tail." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "I never have." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said held up the lantern and gazed about him. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for