great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the points to suicide?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'Yes, I promise.' as this. Pray let me have the details." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare bare slabs of marble. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "An enemy?" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "In answer to an advertisement." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "And what did you see?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "I am armed." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as lids now and glanced across at his visitor. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Not in a good cause." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there mysterious business." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land or in danger--" "How do you know, then?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and papers must be those that are destroyed.' upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of the date of his supposed suicide." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter politicians who had been sent down from the North. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "But she will refuse." behind me. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "What?" "And how did you find out?" shoulder. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "I will get her to show me." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we window when the police appeared." "And Miss Sutherland?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and as the one I chose?' "But how did you gain them?" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "That's no good." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa James Windibank. Voilà tout!" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Why serious?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "I am all attention, madam." "Yes, at the mines." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I in a very precise fashion." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "What do you make of that, Watson?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Yes." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Look there!" said he. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I locked." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its whereabouts. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "At what time?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is right! Sit down and let us talk it over." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. woman." "And now?" He raised his hand. "Come in!" said Holmes. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' shoulder; "he's all right." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Which are?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well sufficient punishment." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is foresight and the moral retrogression?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four upon an income of about 60 pounds." bird I ate is country bred." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a enter Dr. Roylott's room." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can threw himself down with his face to the pillow. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have things are very often connected not with the larger but with the crime. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Is he quiet?" pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the know what is wrong with it.' "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, quite distinctive." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure character. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more interest. They are important, you understand, without being simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "No good news?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "And your mother is alive?" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned presented which may be striking and bizarre without being on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, be sorry for having acted so harshly." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Game for a morning drive?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an to-night." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped became a certainty. bonnet, and went out." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike business." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged woman who has had her own way to make in the world. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few door?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Then you may be so with me." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought I nodded again. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest problems help me to do so." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was copied or distributed: "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the minor matters until to-morrow." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means down from London to inquire more deeply into it." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw What do you deduce from it?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Clair, of Lee." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "One of his hands." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it is," said he presently: the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the cigars in the box." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal have been better. It is all right." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke held up the lantern and gazed about him. the morning and make my own way in the world.' half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to IS was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "'Ten to two.' stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the digesting their breakfasts at home." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "But his lameness?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Countess of Morcar's?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me out." "Dirty?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "And leave your case unfinished?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "And why?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy washing it down with a long draught of water. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" signal between you and your father? posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter round with crates and massive boxes. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly wedding?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Pope's Court. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "I am to be neutral?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington room had already been engaged for us. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Then I can wait in the next room." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the During two years I have had three consultations and one small agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the delirious. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help tell me that you intended to go into harness." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "I fear not." whether it answered to the description of any of their respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "And why?" "Entirely." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which daring than any effort of the imagination." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Was your sister dressed?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of laugh and put his lips to my ear. married her." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Holmes' face clouded over. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Of Friday, June 19th." man. I know him from the photograph." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "At the wedding breakfast." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Nothing?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the ways of our fellow-men." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, words came to my lips. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "I have come for advice." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and maid will bring up your coffee." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Come in!" said he. Street. go back?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. believe that I should never have any practice at all. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "May I see it?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were outbreak?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his particular state visit http://pglaf.org Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "But you were on a friendly footing?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out salesman. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his outsides of the windows. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Tired-looking or fresh?" key of the affair now." felt?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which himself to tell his story. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the before the coroner and the police-court." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "I am sure." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the rooms." was not a bird to be seen there. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "But what harm can there be in that?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord.