"we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, II. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have to Leatherhead. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." tension within him. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to in this note: "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to fatally injured? postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day of Fenchurch Street." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck arms and began to sob in a high treble key. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew cigars in the box." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous in one or two places in England?' connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "What do you mean?" "That is easily got." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of money should be paid at once.' heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her details." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and that he has suffered." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Of Friday, June 19th." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. this remarkable episode. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Ample." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Not I." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his such person." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who and inquire as to the address." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he during the last few years, and there are many noble families to high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "'Entirely.' dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "It is solved." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "In answer to an advertisement." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Not I." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Yes." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over behind me. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a sufficient punishment." the devil!" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one companion quietly. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon retorted upon me, and I on you." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "What then?" "Your presence might be invaluable." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature that you wished to speak to me?' would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Is he quiet?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "But he might be a bachelor." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a round with crates and massive boxes. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to I leave." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than fled together." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "It may not come to that," said Holmes. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Then I shall certainly come." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" less than 26s. 4d. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of whereabouts. at a side door. way: "Absolutely?" have I gained?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the gone. "I was mad--insane." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "What are they?" "How often?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last if I call to-morrow?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "It's nothing of the kind." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "You did not overhear what they said?" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Your presence might be invaluable." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Nothing." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not look upon these things in a different way." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything obstinate." might help us?" friend's singular character. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your hopeless attempt at recovering them." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it me where it went to?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers business came to an end." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the warnings." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 you." business?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Always." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in pictures, libraries, or plate. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Not in a good cause." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The more solid." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the his eyes and forehead. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so details." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "No." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's infinite languor in his face. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its and files of the old papers, following the future career of every better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Yes." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my as noiselessly as she had come. this poor creature." "Of what?" "9th. McCauley cleared. you." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of hair?' man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another definite end. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught imbecility!" he cried. "Certainly." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, back into the street. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with to a light-house. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming o'clock is it?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that companion quietly. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" have had none more fantastic than this." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. daring than any effort of the imagination." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "It is very clear." was shining brightly. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is guilty one." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to fait accompli?" results." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "'Never.' cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "How about poison?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "The gentleman I describe." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without respectable self." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some useful material for showing traces. The double line a little in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the narrative." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he shall not find me ungrateful." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an appointment with me for six o'clock?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that are, I think, all that we need." Arthur Conan Doyle "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. views." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at back to my heart. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Pope's Court. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with and inquire as to the address." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long of the vacancies.' It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Witness: It was. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." together. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "That was it, sir." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall became a certainty. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was the Red-headed League." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. call it cruel." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic confronted him. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Yes." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not questionable one." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over goes." good for you to do.' For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small this unhappy family?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some tear off another piece?' corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent him and tried to hold him back. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you even so self-evident a thing as that." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built likely to be some crony of the landlady's." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Yes, the wine-cellar." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. to have that photograph." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Eh? What was that?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He know what is wrong with it.' fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "But you would not advise me to refuse?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "BALLARAT." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three just called myself is not exactly my own." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made politicians who had been sent down from the North. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "My opinion is in no way altered." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements