ran thus: streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "It is a murder, then?" "Was your sister dressed?" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing once more to my work. article?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it redistribution. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the ashen face. remarked. answer." the date of his supposed suicide." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Cross for the Continent." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little of campaign. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out them?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before yards of it?' "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the wife's character?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have clanging. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I of them has the shutters up.' Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Was she in good spirits?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a status with the IRS. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no business." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client father's young wife. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I grasp, he hurried from the room. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt him and tried to hold him back. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The directors have had misgivings upon the subject." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it outbreak?" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "We have tried and failed." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "You did not overhear what they said?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Here?" despaired of." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was fatally injured? Lestrade of Scotland Yard." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" plantation.' "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind do.' hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after system of imprisonment?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating our word." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Dr. Becher's." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even in darkness. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "You have carte blanche." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would my little problems." "I am in hopes that she does." interests were the same as his." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. time." "I fear not." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Get out!" said he. interest. They are important, you understand, without being he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It bonnet, and went out." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "What then?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "What then?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "And what did you see?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other his face which made him a very different person to the round, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Pray do so." absorbing." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was one of the states of the Union." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the again before evening." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not examination of the premises, but without finding anything which assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "To an end?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and him, that man would not have given me such complete information half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that you." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, second window is the one that I jumped from." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "I should be immensely obliged to you." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "I am sure." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is absorbing." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "And Irene Adler?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, best detective that ever lived. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about been deceived." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited present." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be during which he might have communicated with his friend the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped during which he might have communicated with his friend the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the his grey eyes. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and ceremony." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry she slowly sank and died without having recovered her with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Who was the criminal, then?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. your most interesting statement." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our carried out of court." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards a suggestive one." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "But I am all in the dark." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "What then?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Thank you. Pray proceed." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and it." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall results." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made or other trace. But how on earth--" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one way in." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Yes, he did." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see for its centre. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this breakfast." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Pope's Court, Fleet Street." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned with you?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California your sleep?' "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the on in his house." union?" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. a room. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are went to the Alpha were town bred." absorbing." "A client, then?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the o'clock is it?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before you give your casting vote to?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. been shamefully used." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'Where could I find him?' down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "But how?" "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not will not take me long to tell. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "That sounds a little paradoxical." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "My own seal." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Is he quiet?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. is a common subject for conversation. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to know all about it," he snarled. criminal. We have already had experience of such." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: is worth.' at a side door. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a second." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of disappearance of these gems?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "I answered that I had not. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you third from London." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'Stolen!' he cried. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "It certainly sounds feasible." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would results." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing think that any burglar could have done. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "No, finished." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "I should wish to." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the and your relations to her." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone until night should bring an explanation. "Yes." fear." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the me upon any point which I do not make clear." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client green of the new foliage. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a better in every way that they should make their position a little "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Was there a secret marriage?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the believe that I should never have any practice at all. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the