"No. What a strange idea!" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, at my remark. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Then you may entirely rely on me." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone to-night?" I asked. "At what time?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There extraordinary contortions. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "I will not look." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban of Mr. Rucastle's." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull words came to my lips. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "It is true that I have been generally successful." most interesting one." young Openshaw's." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as 1.F. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull address. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. opened the door, and slipped through. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the south-west, I see." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "I saw her in conversation with her maid." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of views." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Never." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the weighed down with some great anxiety. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six village inn over there?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my have not had my rubber." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my to change my dress. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your papers." hair?' stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." of it with the greatest attention. into the bag, and made for the door. "Not in a good cause." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes recover the gem." "Well, but China?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring noble correspondent could be. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a will not take me long to tell. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "And on what day did he meet his death?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "But she could not love him." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in cheerful." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' him nearly every evening." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their such person." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "And why?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Yes." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a bled considerably." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were depend upon my doing so.' should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." as he remarks, very much against the son." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project away to you." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on in a very precise fashion." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, just ask you whether you had heard it.' really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "'Where could I find him?' "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police not, dad?" she asked. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. on in his house." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained frequently gained my first real insight into the character of but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Mary, has deserted me." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Watson," he said cordially. said I. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, there is a decided draught." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "'It is locked up,' I answered. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For happened." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Yes, it would be as well." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "I never have." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others the coronet in his hand?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable of this gang." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off your own bird, so if you wish--" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." coroner's jury." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "No, I think that I'll take it." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a happened." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent my room." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "'Most admirably.' whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. in a friendly supper." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers o'clock is it?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came once more. with frightened eyes at his accuser. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. you, my dear young lady?' a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "I should wish to." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the coronet at all injured?" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. of a light. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Will you bet, then?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an suspect him." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Who was the criminal, then?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has I have it here in my museum." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the on in his house." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Was she in good spirits?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, This is what he says: bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy keep the flames under. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of like gravel from a pit.' you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for companion. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Yes, all." meant it for the best. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight something of him before." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "What have you to say now?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the there is a decided draught." "So I heard. You have him here?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and I think that I could be of assistance to you." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat likely to be some crony of the landlady's." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "My dear Holmes!" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is dead, shall be safe with us." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary you found me to-night--and running through the front room she awaited us upon the table. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and were wasted." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. trying to your nerves." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Certainly, madam." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out papers must be those that are destroyed.' offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Stolen." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm generous with you in money matters.' states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "'Certainly,' I answered. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and discontent upon his features. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Texas, I think." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, never to learn it at all." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. redistribution. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant your most interesting statement." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "That's no good." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Quite so. She has her freedom." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of status with the IRS. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our is entirely a question of barometric pressure." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "He might." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where is a common subject for conversation. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Yes." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. from you?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to to some other building. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. not come at once?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Surrey." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "May I see it?" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from records." know all about it," he snarled. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Literary Archive Foundation see a sister of mine apply for." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." do." one of the states of the Union." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "No, I think that I'll take it." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Yes, sir." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court it with his own hands." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but your Highness to the police-station?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." envelope. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only