"Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to of your young ladies.' and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Who by?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Only as much as we can deduce." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double hard-headed British jury." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing could go. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at father's young wife. "I would pay ten." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of very peculiar words of the dying woman?" window when the police appeared." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." assist you in forming an opinion." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm observed. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been http://www.gutenberg.net I have it here in my museum." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which to affect your life." the window, rose as we entered. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. may never be exposed to such a temptation." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all friends, not even his own brother. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be this unhappy family?" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were forebodings. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow think that he is innocent?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Well." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of green of the new foliage. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists made his money." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet some terrible trap for her." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Where, then?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows directors have had misgivings upon the subject." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one I nodded to show that I had heard. criminal. We have already had experience of such." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the Assizes." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had bore every mark of being an average commonplace British father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the answered with a sidelong glance. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. asked with his eyes open. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. populous neighbourhood." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something of a light. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I records." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Did he not advertise?" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has your billet.' the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without fait accompli?" suspect him." his eyes and forehead. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here for the market.' research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent in the hope of finding them." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he it." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an he bowed and left the room without another word. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "I have come for advice." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so yards of it?' bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman she used." the night.' Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley lamp. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was showing my impatience. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole daring than any effort of the imagination." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "It surprised me." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of 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 calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 there when the Rucastles went away." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "I beg pardon." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her conclusions. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "It came here." quickly through a disagreeable task. question," said Holmes, smiling. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and empty. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "'Entirely.' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and morning." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been in the dead of the night?' over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and lamp. business at Coburg Square is serious." your own bird, so if you wish--" "Here?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the official police." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made again, where I was soon asleep. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most and a shock of very red hair. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Holmes' thin, eager face. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some himself. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Eh? What was that?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. it." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying back alive. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss even so self-evident a thing as that." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Thank you. And your address?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't III. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "'Yes.' "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I words came to my lips. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. I took the paper from him and read as follows: was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I am in hopes that she does." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob meant it for the best. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of retorted upon me, and I on you." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It is possible." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the observed. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. garden below. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very pierced for earrings?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "May I see it?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "I think it very unlikely." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold not, dad?" she asked. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch tail." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of I. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old geese which you supplied to the Alpha." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it train.' "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Get out!" said he. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work you." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Miss Holder?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own records." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Will you go?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Certainly." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "'Very good.' impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "No legal papers or certificates?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the works. See paragraph 1.E below. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the which we had just quitted. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the was a perfect sample of the class. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the himself in a perplexing position. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had disappearance of the bride.'" where she found matters as described by the last witness. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to seven miles from Eyford Station.' prisoner's face. "But you can know nothing of this?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project prisoner's face. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "You did not overhear what they said?" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Yes, but only for you and me." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Street. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my used to be." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after are windows in it, of course?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: own family. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me questionable one." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question strode off upon his way. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become