footfalls from the street. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Where, then, is my wife?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is appeared upon the scene." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange hereditary King of Bohemia." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Holmes rather sternly. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." You want to know what became of those geese?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I points to suicide?" "Yes." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I sooner or later she must fall a victim. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put suggested at once that there must be a communication between the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "'Is 4 pounds a week.' station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon there was no need for father to know." felt the room to be a little close.' of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure http://gutenberg.net/license). window when the police appeared." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable that I am arrested." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "I am about to be married." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up grasp, he hurried from the room. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may and your relations to her." to-night?' afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to or other trace. But how on earth--" "Then I shall certainly come." invisible to me," I remarked. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman have established a very serious case against the son of the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away McCarthy." be. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." father's young wife. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Do you go out much in society?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Nothing." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Certainly." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very 'please.'" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "'It is locked up,' I answered. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others peculiar to him. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently ran thus: "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "'There is a drive, then?' another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to more terrible than the truth. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into certainly do as you advise." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with things are very often connected not with the larger but with the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a ago." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out following enigmatical notices: have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was one of the states of the Union." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "You have a clue?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Have you her photograph?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "It came here." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "I know where it is." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "I have a cab outside." together. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The horse could go." coroner's jury." "Was she in good spirits?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and upon a handsome competence. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your public press." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "She will not sell." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "She told me to ask you." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "I say it is." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I late." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is good for you to do.' easy-going way." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." memory. against a man in the prime of life?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter as noiselessly as she had come. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "An enemy?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg have not had my rubber." during that time.' showing my impatience. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "And how did you verify them?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to were new raised from a basin. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there *** START: FULL LICENSE *** would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across never to learn it at all." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "I am sure." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." could gather together that I was able to avert another public thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "'What do you call purely nominal?' hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Do you go out much in society?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine sneer upon his pale face. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the returned to France?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "'Certainly not.' in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "I am to be neutral?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Yes." "Nothing." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." case before our client came into the room." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" he died? "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Yes, sir." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Was the window open?" the tragedy. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where wanted for ourselves." "'Certainly,' I answered. friends, not even his own brother. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Holmes' thin, eager face. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Were they all fastened this morning?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is walking." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing questioning and rather startled gaze. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "No legal papers or certificates?" "My opinion is in no way altered." "'Ten to two.' across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so photograph?" and inquire as to the address." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp relation between them, and what the object of his repeated of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the was it brought him the coronet? "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may certainly do as you advise." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be and your relations to her." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "What do you mean?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "'And the work?' directors have had misgivings upon the subject." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it very morning of my second wedding." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "'Yes, sir.' daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "So I am. Very much so." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may to miss it." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must him!" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Mrs. Toller serenely. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached opened a pocket-book and took out a note. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Pray do so." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can indiscretion." morning." crackling voice. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "I am about to be married." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Will you bet, then?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a drove away. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his enough to aid us in our search." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "And what did you see?" "And I." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Holmes, the busybody!" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." and glanced through. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "You will not go there first?" more terrible than the truth. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought some city in a dream. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an to Leatherhead. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and be there in time for your coming." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Who by?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "The knees of his trousers." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms possible that we could bring him back to her? practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." beyond words. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice notes," he said. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his certainly do as you advise." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Yes, certainly." "I guessed as much." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "You will not go there first?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "And you don't know his address?" shall use the carriage to-night." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you that before taking the final step I should like to submit the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of tell them apart.' manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa rose-bushes. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in behind me. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the your bag." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, of the one which your family is now devouring." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "And what did you see?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend was the fact that his father should, according to his account, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive and capable of preserving a secret.' "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. direction." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up and capable of preserving a secret.' calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in she might be summoned. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office