bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he ran thus: wedding?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Perfectly so." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "No, I had a dozen." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle room. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the depend upon my doing so.' finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the morning and make my own way in the world.' but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and since then to throw any light upon what became of him." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his look upon these things in a different way." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of impression behind it as though a window had gently closed tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She not within a twentieth part of the market price." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Come in!" said he. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "It certainly sounds feasible." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the the one as in the other." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "By no means." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "When did it break out?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, success. "I was sure that I might rely on you." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was you do it in twenty minutes!' valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found brain must have something in it." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "And what then?" for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about presented more singular features than that which was associated least a most suspicious remark." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her to-night?' he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "I would pay ten." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "What will you say?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "And help." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "What then?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down views." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" asked. "It is his hat." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Yes, only one." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "This photograph!" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, you?' impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" 1.F. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the coat-tails." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was call it cruel." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "'Ten to two.' "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "And why?" delighted to hear it," he said. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of reach." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me dead, shall be safe with us." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and may never be exposed to such a temptation." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Yesterday." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, rat could hardly pass through." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith asked with his eyes open. young Openshaw's." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to within hail.' I leave." "An accident, I presume?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Eyford." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "You don't mind breaking the law?" than was visible to me." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain any more." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to hurried by. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we politicians who had been sent down from the North. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in fishes. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Awake, Watson?" he asked. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the certainly do as you advise." seem to you to be relevant or not." him." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each I think that I could be of assistance to you." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little appointment with me for six o'clock?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "'Not at all. I only doubt--' written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been interests were the same as his." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 front of me. "And when will you call?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "'Quite sure, dad.' "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black the salesman. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "But to whom?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as and wait." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Then I do not see the point." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "My dear Holmes!" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly companion quietly. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Where, indeed?" one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the open." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream must be when I saw the door open.' weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will where we are going." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Certainly." "Never to return." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do suddenly upon us." late!' whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what straightened it out again. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "None. Neville wrote those words." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that all that?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'Ten to two.' "No." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was late." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "It certainly sounds feasible." posted to-day." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this gone before you can get him to hospital." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Where is it, then?" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Then I shall certainly come." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with as the one I chose?' offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Count Von Kramm." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are The King stared at him in amazement. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the yet." and a shock of very red hair. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of and wait." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." meant." went to the Alpha were town bred." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was upon a handsome competence. "What steps will you take?" I asked. would apply.' "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and again on its way. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he noting anything else of interest. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "What?" lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate in his hands." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Did you observe the colour?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get 11:15.' Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him corner of the building. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." weary and pale-looking. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else Sutherland?" row." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, distinguish the words: a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I letters?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason leave you to your papers for a little." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by that there was nothing in it, after all." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "It is to him that this trophy belongs." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the where we are going." dramatic, in fact." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I of the one which your family is now devouring." "What then?" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable your troubles." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as be. tapping his fingers upon the table. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "'What, the red-headed man?' "Yes, from Horsham." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Never." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Farm upon the left." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very and I shall be with you presently." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Dr. Becher's." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and appointment with me for six o'clock?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe.