I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Yes, there are nearly always some there." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "So it appears." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said cigar and let me expound." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the was feeling which was the fattest.' order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss them, and came down just as you departed. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" to-night's adventure." bird of prey. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say some terrible trap for her." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day ran thus: wedding?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for may have an influence upon European history." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into disturbance in my wife." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future confronted him. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Certainly, madam." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Who was the criminal, then?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight McCarthy's innocence. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while bird I ate is country bred." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Countess of Morcar's?" seen the man in the road." "Never to return." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." learned something! Where are the gems?" upon the white wrist. newspaper selections." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had new acquaintance to Baker Street. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Quite so. She has her freedom." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind again before evening." criminal. We have already had experience of such." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we points to suicide?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows children over to America with him, so that I found myself without strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." as he remarks, very much against the son." when your master had gone out." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, recover the gem." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "I don't believe it." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I views." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or three fields round his house, and there he would take his blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "She showed me, as I told you she would." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns this remarkable episode. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or the running down." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "But how?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend recover the gem." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the be sorry for having acted so harshly." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "The Cedars?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "But his left-handedness." "I will not look." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, unprofitable." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "But what is it you wish?" "Then the page we have seen--" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were his knees, staring into the fire. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. off." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Then I can wait in the next room." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Will you go?" "Dr. Becher's." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "No." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but his grey eyes. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the driver. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "That's no good." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, happened." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. three fields round his house, and there he would take his really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, that must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Very much so." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Perhaps I have." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. him to go away.' "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "None." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "'There is a drive, then?' and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. words came to my lips. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "'Certainly,' I answered. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, your sleep?' saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" husband's writing, madam." the matter?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Absolutely?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was open." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By and a shock of very red hair. fishes. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Yes, from Horsham." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "'Yes, sir.' often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." in darkness. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" already been minutely examined." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "The rest you will leave in our hands." trying to your nerves." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal discontent upon his features. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Certainly, madam." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney easy-going way." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an conversation I have gathered that they have been married about of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open License. You must require such a user to return or has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon was it brought him the coronet? seen the man in the road." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "My stepfather's business papers." "Well, some hundreds of times." "Where did you address your letters, then?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem sentimental considerations in the background which would induce of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He tied." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the whole matter to your consideration." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and writing, and yet I know it well." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his directly by questioning you." had a long day." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are London for the present?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons tell them apart.' grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Stolen, then." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to charge against him will break down." too. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "In which, sir?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always might help us?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We appointment with me for six o'clock?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution with frightened eyes at his accuser. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "'I shall certainly be there.' upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Did you become engaged then?" "'In my own bureau.' money should be paid at once.' be there in time for your coming." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "None." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass least a fellow-countryman. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, do.' creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Nothing." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Eyford." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "'Ten to two.' untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my whether it answered to the description of any of their her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, back to my heart. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I could go. next day. nice household for a young lady." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where straighten it?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It voice, changing her seat as requested. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found awaited us upon the table. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a I was concerned in it." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, new duties?' "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of against a man in the prime of life?" to that open window." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. and laid it on the table. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "That you are never beaten." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it that I can to serve you." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, cup of tea. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in both be extremely obliged.' usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told may have an influence upon European history." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "And that is--" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, colonel looking down at me. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Nothing?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small "I was afraid that you were engaged." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my nice household for a young lady." door?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Yes. He waved his hands." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Perhaps we may make them less so." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding directors, with the result that you have seen." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough there in twenty minutes." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Come in!" said Holmes. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Texas, I think." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to union?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I