weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little roused himself from his reverie. residence of the great financier. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "And it is--" was lame." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City asked. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was both be extremely obliged.' He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "The best possible." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Dr. Gregory B. Newby Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf events, Mr. Windibank!" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "What is it, then--a fire?" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, opened the door, and slipped through. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we it with his own hands." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "It was." "Was your sister dressed?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of into her hand at the door and which lured her within their and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet few hundred pounds.' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your clanging. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. This is what he says: and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. trying to your nerves." the roots. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all article?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Nothing?" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "That was it, sir." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could in darkness. works. "And Miss Sutherland?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "What have you done?" asked Holmes. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. own family. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination your only hope of safety." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the character. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "You horrify me." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon nice household for a young lady." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had McCarthy's innocence. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. acted in my house last night?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." any little problem which you may submit to me." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at always that they were such commands as a lady might with clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining strength in the others." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is cause to be." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "My opinion is in no way altered." "Certainly." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "And on what day did he meet his death?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "My Mary? Impossible!" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "But you have hopes?" served to weaken the effect. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Count Von Kramm." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or front of me. astonishment. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "But we can't all be." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Precisely so. But how--" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible to affect your life." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Then I do not see the point." at my remark. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "You have a clue?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg and prosperity to your house. Good-night." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you indiscretion." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's lips." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. fasten all the windows?" "Pray do so." writer." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "You don't mind breaking the law?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Yes, sir." "You think that he is dead?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It through." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Your French gold?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." good-night and bustled off upon her way. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Sholtos." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Indeed! Whose, then?" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall answer." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have held up the lantern and gazed about him. habit of advancing money.' well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and said I. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the even so self-evident a thing as that." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel investigation." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl cup of tea. once more for Briony Lodge. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that business." cause to be." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Henry Baker is a member." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, in darkness. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In carried out of court." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, page at http://pglaf.org violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been gone before you can get him to hospital." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' past. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. I nodded to show that I had heard. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the public press." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might them?" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far thirty. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that morning." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "I will try. What is it?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without bachelor.' wanted for ourselves." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you God! What an exposure! What can I do?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "I will get her to show me." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home guilty parties." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she paper in the air. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. if she died from some sudden fright." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I in his hands." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, system of imprisonment?" most interesting one." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he again on its way. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "About a month then." written, and locked the door of the office after me. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled detective. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a mystery." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when the iron safe, which he closed upon it. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking said he at last. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Where did you address your letters, then?" you?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind whereabouts. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their during that time.' fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We forbidden door. "I never have." "On Monday." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. official police." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will shoulder. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. might have a private word with us. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in in your London, you will know that the office of the company is out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life returned to France?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "It is true that I have been generally successful." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very see me here to avoid scandal." me." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have it? Did I buy the geese off you?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, round and wave him away like that.' "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "'I have already given you my word.' INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard be there in time for your coming." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Holmes, the busybody!" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in anything to do with the matter?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Gutenberg-tm License. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Then, how do you know?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is fear." lost his Christmas dinner." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say when your master had gone out." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which thin legs towards the fire. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that opened a pocket-book and took out a note. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "And I." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Have you good authority for what you say?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Bought." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a over here." hand, madam?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand be. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, thirty. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "What then?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "What are they?" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "And how did you verify them?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling disturbance in my wife." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's bore every mark of being an average commonplace British it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one think that any burglar could have done. "You think that he is dead?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "'What then?' I asked. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "I never have." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good 'please.'" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a future lives." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of