Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." are, I think, all that we need." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "How did you trace it, then?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Pray do so." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Awake, Watson?" he asked. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the cup of tea. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "May I see it?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Has he come with you to-night?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Precisely so. But how--" of this gang." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. your equipment. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard existence." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are said he. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Was your sister dressed?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "One horse?" interjected Holmes. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "And leave your case unfinished?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "The Coroner: What do you mean? so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would there has been an enclosure here!" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Foundation fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "That also I could fathom." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "I have a cab outside." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "He disappeared so suddenly." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Why, it's a dummy," said he. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I one of the states of the Union." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" away into the river." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us directors, with the result that you have seen." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California of the way of danger. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a there was no need for father to know." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as as he remarks, very much against the son." "A greater distance to travel." spare." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was get her out of the way." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it hopeless attempt at recovering them." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Well, but China?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you congenial hunt. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught into the room. again." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has was keenly on my guard against him. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the someone who had been in Australia." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered the night.' fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid you do it in twenty minutes!' "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful asked. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you geese which you supplied to the Alpha." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting with her." there!' it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even signal between you and your father? occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "I cannot tell." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, help us in this matter." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is their singular warning or token before them when starting upon learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and mysterious business." back into the street. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "What have you to say now?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without clanging. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind and it need not interfere very much with one's other "It is a murder, then?" to-night." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "I beg pardon." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were of campaign. through." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how from the brougham. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: definite end. "Imitated." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "My Mary? Impossible!" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "'I am sure if I had known--' "Entirely." "Never to return." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "I shall be delighted." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been and put his glass in his pocket. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been province." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the learned something! Where are the gems?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master that threaten you." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "It's nothing of the kind." "Yes, sir." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "What can you not understand?" with some details as to your case." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "There are none." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter politicians who had been sent down from the North. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "No sign of it?" "Really! You surprise me." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Here?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had know that the truth is known." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced see a sister of mine apply for." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Who was the criminal, then?" "Will you bet, then?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my congenial hunt. business at Coburg Square is serious." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, present." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will me where it went to?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar distinguish the words: the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a vague figure huddled up in the darkness. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Which are?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Ah, but I was recommended to you." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "I was afraid that you were engaged." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring was feeling which was the fattest.' "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he bearing upon the case." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, mystery may be cleared along those lines." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. arrangements." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the child." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, and put his glass in his pocket. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will just called myself is not exactly my own." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Yes, all." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always call for protection in the marriage market, for the present thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, affair. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "He is dead," cried several voices. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel observed. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the her also." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock vanished into the darkness. from you?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two in him." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather mysterious business." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do absolutely follow my advice in every respect." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Nothing?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Then I am your man." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with grasp, he hurried from the room. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small whereabouts. husband's writing, madam." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a dates and names. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' that there was nothing in it, after all." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Nothing." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, words came to my lips. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to acted in my house last night?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Of what day?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when this Miss Turner." some city in a dream. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' fled together." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "That's no good." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply make me his representative both with the servants and with the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "But to whom?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family attention." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Perfectly so." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Yes, at the mines." husband's writing, madam." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to your equipment. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to nothing of it?" before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers likely to be some crony of the landlady's." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. instituted." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too compunction about shooting them down." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Dark enough and sinister enough." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin way: written, and locked the door of the office after me. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper