finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled you." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "To the police?" "'Why that?' I asks. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Count Von Kramm." "By all means." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in closely." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Leadenhall Street--and--" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "She told me to ask you." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed interested in these little problems, and since you are good which our visitor detailed to us. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed I nodded again. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears to have been novel and of interest." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Count Von Kramm." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted whatever might befall. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "'It is locked up,' I answered. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Really! You surprise me." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock God! What an exposure! What can I do?" have I gained?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my appeared upon the scene." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to generous with you in money matters.' as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had upon a handsome competence. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the my little problems." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Will you bet, then?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are derbies." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his the Red-headed League." unkempt, staring out at me. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "I will not look." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "What do you make of that, Watson?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. little trying to do so much typewriting?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "'And the work?' "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since out." "Did he not advertise?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy swore that no one else had been in the front room during the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically indeed which he could not unravel. keep the flames under. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "It is a murder, then?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "10th. John Swain cleared. room had already been engaged for us. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth down from London to inquire more deeply into it." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." dead, shall be safe with us." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for DISSOLVED. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to upon the shelf for the interim." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a husband's writing, madam." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "And you thought he was pulled back?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of been with you?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to nothing of it?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an tell him that I know him to be innocent." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose ceremony." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried The events in question occurred in the early days of my "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his 'please.'" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common and no precautions can guard against." which are rolled in Rotterdam." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and crime. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple returned to France?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" on in his house." address. believe that I should never have any practice at all. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "I think that it is very probable." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to back alive. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "But what is it you wish?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were grasp, he hurried from the room. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as tapping his fingers upon the table. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "What then?" Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." fact, we may call it conclusive." speckled band?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "It came here." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of papers on the sundial.'" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Yes?" "Yes." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his pictures, libraries, or plate. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "So I am. Very much so." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just writing, and yet I know it well." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you held up the lantern and gazed about him. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "'I have already given you my word.' London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying 'please.'" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over hand, madam?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual compunction about shooting them down." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, assist you in forming an opinion." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I outsides of the windows. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his all?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and clanging. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "And on what day did he meet his death?" think, you have already met." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This business in the City. She little knew what. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are now. It seems that there had been some informality about their bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "What?" "Yes." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "You will not go there first?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we whatever might befall. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "'Very good.' those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have been deceived." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was learned something! Where are the gems?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main your only hope of safety." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done business." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most went to the Alpha were town bred." some terrible trap for her." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he fatally injured? with the outside air!" highroad, where all traces were lost. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, wedding?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which is," said he presently: have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Pope's Court. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two without a word or a look. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it infinite languor in his face. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. the coronet at all injured?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "What of the rat, then?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting interests were the same as his." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," observed. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," your room." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." returning from some small jollification and was making his way even of instruction." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the take the flies, but not before." http://gutenberg.net/license). you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "You have but to name it." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "And your father? Did you tell him?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the was a loud and authoritative tap. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "By all means." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "In answer to an advertisement." distinguish the words: "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. was already answered. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on new acquaintance to Baker Street. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about this Miss Turner." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even of the vacancies.' deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Perhaps we may make them less so." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our my secret was safe in his possession. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she horse could go." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the call it cruel." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "No, I am descending." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "But you can know nothing of this?" roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Dark enough and sinister enough." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "The vanishing of the lady." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Foundation who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Absolutely?" weighed down with some great anxiety. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when straightened it out again. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise new duties?' "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "How on earth--" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I said he at last. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Pray tell us what has happened to you." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for will he say when he returns?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may next day. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do