"No." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall he bowed and left the room without another word. "About a month then." "Seven!" I answered. may have an influence upon European history." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Yes." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. you give your casting vote to?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in lectures into a series of tales." most interesting one." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of read over the extraordinary announcement. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was went to the Alpha were town bred." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas door?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, into the room. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry think that any burglar could have done. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it the window, rose as we entered. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" ashen face. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making beg that you will break it off." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You official police." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she you do it in twenty minutes!' circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, narrative." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' vault. "Dr. Becher's." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we and glanced through. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Pope's Court. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Yes, certainly." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" tied." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that distinguish the words: him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far some mystery and the punishment of some crime." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "And you can do nothing until then?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "'I have already given you my word.' "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said could not account in any way for the presence of the missing head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what shall not find me ungrateful." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "It surprised me." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the imbecility!" he cried. "I will, Miss Turner." "I see no marks." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy paper in the air. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "What do you make of that, Watson?" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' results." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the point in the dark hollow of his hand. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel some city in a dream. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have highroad, where all traces were lost. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was galvanised. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best death." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my fish-monger and a tide-waiter." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will nights." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. throat." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been once more to my work. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for visitors." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "I will, Miss Turner." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple bears upon the case?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Yes." "'A dozen yards or so.' concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the it with his own hands." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." eavesdroppers?' which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he least a most suspicious remark." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary means taking possession of that which another person has a prior great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "No, I think that I'll take it." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, fat-encircled eyes. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which strength in the others." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. to change my dress. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Literary Archive Foundation "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "She will not sell." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend simple cases which are so extremely difficult." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by clanging. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so to miss it." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action murdered man." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. round with crates and massive boxes. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always morning." "Oh, yes, easily." and effective." the bed, and you in that chair." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'Never,' said I. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and you." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was breakfast?" "Could he throw no light?" "And that is--" "I am about to be married." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very assist you in forming an opinion." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted indeed which he could not unravel. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded one else, I think." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual secret." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a done what I asked you, Jones?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue ventilator." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Absolutely?" "I cannot tell." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "'Most admirably.' about. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "A confidential servant?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would country, and eventually married, without anyone having a open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "I am all attention, madam." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Get out!" said he. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on what I may call a really hard day's work." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "'Entirely.' business." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "There are none." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook whereabouts. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Not yet." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to was a lad." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Yes." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a that "Then what has happened to him?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I made his money." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "We were both in the photograph." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the iron safe, which he closed upon it. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "10th. John Swain cleared. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun to tackle the facts." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually 11:15.' "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "He might." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Entirely." never will be, entirely cleared up. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Oh, the cause is excellent!" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip matter." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I to Leatherhead. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. that he has suffered." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a British peeress.'" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Did you become engaged then?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, me where it went to?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and train.' Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when notes," he said. him!" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Yes." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the secret." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire door?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their I have it here in my museum." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Stoke Moran?" said he. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work hard-headed British jury." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "The murder was done with it." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of did not hear it also.' Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But your billet.' ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "We were both in the photograph." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not of the efforts of the United States government and of the better but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked is worth.' "Ample." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she tension within him. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other detained." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great everything which you would wish to know." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "That is not always so easy." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, returned to France?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I showing my impatience. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very overpowering excitement and concern. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Certainly." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "By no means." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "But what harm can there be in that?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' may have an influence upon European history." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases and the church but not where the lady lived." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "The best possible." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of depend upon my doing so.' walking." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "We were both in the photograph." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly carried out of court." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The