case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with neither fascinating nor artistic." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "And your father? Did you tell him?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" I leave." pound a week." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of to that open window." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "None." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. be sorry for having acted so harshly." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. think you a quite exceptional woman." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is him. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" should be so warm over such a trifle." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "But the mystery?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she definite end. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark a room. really the only notable feature about the thing." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a cheerful." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. union?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a returned to France?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party bearing upon the case." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "I will get her to show me." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled manager. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her felt the room to be a little close.' the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and the Assizes." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." despaired of." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, with frightened eyes at his accuser. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "By train from Waterloo." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend said he. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "I saw her in conversation with her maid." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "And who is her maid?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one You want to know what became of those geese?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond morning." "But I am all in the dark." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "'No, I know no one in these parts.' of Mr. Rucastle's." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon silent! Oh, he will be silent!' gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the bottom.' "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project of." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Ha! you find it so?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had disappearance of the bride.'" "Yes, all." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Was the window open?" congenial hunt. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "VIOLET HUNTER." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner tension within him. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "'Never,' said I. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "My dear Holmes!" unprecedented a position." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" shoulder; "he's all right." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the he bowed and left the room without another word. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a all that?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be must compliment you." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "What! a murderous attack?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "It is no ordinary one." cup of tea. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Your French gold?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "What, then, did Peterson do?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "And Irene Adler?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. of them has the shutters up.' submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "In the cells." "I should like to see him very much." "'And what salary do you ask?' call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if morning." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight was a lad." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set place, I think that there is good ground to think that the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, my special province." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel wedding?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Perhaps I have." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Yes, but only for you and me." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." be.' ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable and looked back. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not not come at once?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "I have hopes." 11:15.' was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "He might." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search of his shoulders. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "I was afraid that you were engaged." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there main points of my analysis." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, a very grave face. lamp in his hand. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom me." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon breakfast." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'And what salary do you ask?' from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf triumphant cloud from his cigarette. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Did you become engaged then?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded points to suicide?" "Deserted you?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. kindly on the shoulder. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "And now?" He raised his hand. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "What do you mean?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "What do you mean?" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by the stones. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea His name is Francis Prosper." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" his forehead." the little opening for the ventilator is." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. light and attacked it." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing I held the little printed slip to the light. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient recall any case within my experience which looked at the first some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were my secret was safe in his possession. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been searched, without anything being found which could incriminate uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and electronic works "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand wife's character?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella your sleep?' the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the events than those which have happened in my own family." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, me have 200 pounds?' supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into a very grave face. society." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." or other trace. But how on earth--" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "No." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "The Cedars?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings the driver. "Why did you pick him?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the there in twenty minutes." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "And how did he make his money?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years as noiselessly as she had come. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "That is not always so easy." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert for securing the situation." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "How long did she speak to this Alice?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, locked. "10th. John Swain cleared. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending them?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "'About the same.' This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. prison!" you want, then?' "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Come in!" said he. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Certainly." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of go--none." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." morning." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter husband's writing, madam." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the cost them two and thirty pounds." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. lumber-room." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in following enigmatical notices: "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was seem to you to be relevant or not." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "I came to find a friend." went to the Alpha were town bred." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "We must have a cab." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. The summons was a brief and urgent one. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "It came here." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "One horse?" interjected Holmes. events, Mr. Windibank!" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper knowledge of the world." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. paper in the air.