either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. must compliment you." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm think that any burglar could have done. "The gentleman I describe." and glanced through. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods it." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now bachelor.' shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "But how?" the coronet in his hand?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were not come at once?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Yes, I have one waiting." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. there." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a his face which made him a very different person to the round, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "No." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Won't it ring?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the devil!" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are in a friendly supper." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "In answer to an advertisement." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer is worth.' "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources wedding?" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "What! a murderous attack?" the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of sake, don't!" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she invisible to me," I remarked. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. attention." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four his grey eyes. the very morning of the wedding." that you wished to speak to me?' Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "No, my brougham is waiting." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on excitement. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I It was close upon four before the door opened, and a listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the bottom.' "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where until night should bring an explanation. disappearance of the bride.'" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to was once confined in the cab my mission was practically There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a noting anything else of interest. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was were wasted." written, and locked the door of the office after me. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "You'll never persuade me to believe that." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to purpose equally well?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the closely." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of awaited us upon the table. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as noise which awoke you from your sleep?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "I promise," said Holmes. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "No, finished." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the everything which you would wish to know." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending before the coroner and the police-court." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "'Why that?' I asks. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by someone who had been in Australia." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he populous neighbourhood." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it cheerful." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "He is still with you, I presume?" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "I say that I have solved it." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." of the one which your family is now devouring." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me strength of mind to control. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to the coronet in his hand?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his people in all walks of life. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "In the cells." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "What are they?" make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to ceremony." the very morning of the wedding." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Mrs. Toller serenely. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and at once, for I have only half an hour." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway once more to my work. cause to be." "No good news?" "The vanishing of the lady." matter." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "I am still in the dark." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "You will not go there first?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all together. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited the devil!" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Bought." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations the coronet in his hand?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as least a most suspicious remark." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my laugh and put his lips to my ear. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which would then never go into court at all." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the bottom.' contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. matter." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "I am armed." said he. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my spare." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never business." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to fat-encircled eyes. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the prison!" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means these bleak autumnal evenings." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the it." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you see me here to avoid scandal." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "You did not overhear what they said?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in was not a bird to be seen there. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story open." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty floor. "Then how many are there?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and answered with a sidelong glance. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court mystery may be cleared along those lines." "A confidential servant?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic any." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be in this note: this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Well." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "What do you mean?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "You'll never persuade me to believe that." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Holmes' face clouded over. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Dr. Gregory B. Newby think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her chamber." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" residence of the great financier. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, that you saw all that I did." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The fishes. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not had died away into the silence from which it rose. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." instincts rose up against that laugh. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the long narrative. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your exactly what you advise." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "10th. John Swain cleared. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. weary and pale-looking. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one think that any burglar could have done. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached opened the door, and slipped through. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He of it with the greatest attention. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would such attractions and accomplishments?' goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and thought that she would have been so carried away." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden distinguish the words: given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "No good news?" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is my special province." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and