fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my off." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It unprofitable." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "To an English lawyer named Norton." "I cannot think." out." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now whereabouts. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project it were putty." goes." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it clang of the bell. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "I say that I have solved it." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Nothing." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off man. his huge brown hands. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from second window is the one that I jumped from." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Was there a secret marriage?" "He is still with you, I presume?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid companion. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long six. Come in!" the Assizes." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his think that any burglar could have done. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always matter over." and inquire as to the address." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but see a sister of mine apply for." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I will get her to show me." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'What then?' I asked. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "You think that he is dead?" back to my heart. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "I think that it is very probable." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He neither fascinating nor artistic." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he to take care of herself." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "What will you say?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "To ruin me." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "And on what day did he meet his death?" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, where we are going." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "And I to find an enemy." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "No. What a strange idea!" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the II. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough o'clock is it?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the 1.F. to-morrow." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "I am to be neutral?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" chance at all." "Why, what do you mean?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." shall use the carriage to-night." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "And the cigar-holder?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an that you can jump it.' to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Could he throw no light?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were public press." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about letters?" new duties?' "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the used to be." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Awake, Watson?" he asked. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "An accident, I presume?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to brandy and water within his reach. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "'What then?' I asked. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the standing smiling on the door-step. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls me. You must get home instantly and act." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Serpentine Avenue. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Never to return." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is hurried by. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The to-night?' bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" my room." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." bachelor.' "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Certainly." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Frequently." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Texas, I think." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "You have compromised yourself seriously." the child." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "In San Francisco, a year ago." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "When did she vanish, then?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "What is it, then--a fire?" "Well?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt But Holmes shook his head gravely. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is impression behind it as though a window had gently closed unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. was feeling which was the fattest.' "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "I will get her to show me." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project face and glided from the room. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "No, distinctly professional." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "But of what society?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the be. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is to miss it." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "You horrify me." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of your only hope of safety." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California was a lad." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said any little problem which you may submit to me." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Ah!" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "What I expected to see." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the his face which made him a very different person to the round, repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Dark enough and sinister enough." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us legal crime." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Not social, then?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "How do you know, then?" compunction about shooting them down." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and goes." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Yes." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped Eyford at 11:15.' me upon any point which I do not make clear." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as call it cruel." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "That is possible." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "May I see it?" overpowering excitement and concern. "'I have already given you my word.' "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to six. Come in!" out of this horrible affair." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Yes, the wine-cellar." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am directors have had misgivings upon the subject." minor matters until to-morrow." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it thought that she would have been so carried away." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting mysterious business." recover the gem." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come speckled band?" "But what will you do?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Yes, that is the Crown." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I discontent upon his features. "My stepfather's business papers." these bleak autumnal evenings." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and are, and they are waiting for us." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my make me his representative both with the servants and with the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Not particularly." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door that?' pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Yes." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass me. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this made him keep the appointment." just called myself is not exactly my own." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Just look it up, then." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be not, dad?" she asked. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready and shall probably return to London by the evening train." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much pictures, libraries, or plate. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Why, it's a dummy," said he. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Chief Executive and Director more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his States. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. fact, we may call it conclusive." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Pope's Court, Fleet Street." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "But not more so than I to find you." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, points to suicide?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" open." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the think that any burglar could have done. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "What will you do, then?" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." rooms." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a The King stared at him in amazement. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some your troubles." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may she slowly sank and died without having recovered her your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Pope's Court. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "She walked into the breakfast-room." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." arrested. You then--" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." call it cruel." fait accompli?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our away into the river." "In heaven's name, what for?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "It must be recovered." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this was shining brightly. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set tail." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got colour had been driven from his face. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and this Miss Turner." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for.