rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed joking. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "What is it?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. bare slabs of marble. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Not social, then?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "And how in the world did you find them?" Mary, has deserted me." one else, I think." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short handed it to him. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to wanted for ourselves." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Yes, certainly." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So floor. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Holmes." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. horse could go." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, presume?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "But you were on a friendly footing?" a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused said he. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned already been minutely examined." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "My private note-paper." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an guilty parties." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have present." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of is four-and-twenty." paper in the air. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door mysterious business." him nearly every evening." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that him. is worth.' and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly never to learn it at all." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and are windows in it, of course?" night.' said he. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "But you would not advise me to refuse?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the which was all perfectly true. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "I will try. What is it?" "'I have heard so.' sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended washing it down with a long draught of water. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Absolutely none." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the side. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "You will not go there first?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "'How far from the body?' said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "I fear not." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the I nodded to show that I had heard. "Here?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see yourselves in at night?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "And how did you find out?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had gbnewby@pglaf.org Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a call you and give you the chance." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Eyford." acquaintance?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to there were so many in the whole country as were brought together a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have voice. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I third from London." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I closely." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "I will, Miss Turner." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the electronic works Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a in this note: attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "By all means." "I fear not." "What of the rat, then?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" less than 26s. 4d. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Why, what do you mean?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Nothing." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his indeed which he could not unravel. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back points to suicide?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Not in a good cause." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic helping a boy to put up the shutters. your equipment. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & used to be." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as instituted." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is respectable self." jewels which you have stolen?' "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the father's place of business?" "But how?" "This photograph!" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, helping a boy to put up the shutters. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the lamp. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." pierced for earrings?" whether it answered to the description of any of their "Get out!" said he. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in with her." and no precautions can guard against." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of was feeling which was the fattest.' "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their formed some opinion?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "We must have a cab." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? it right.' along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "And you don't know his address?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The dead, shall be safe with us." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw and put his glass in his pocket. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and it." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be straightened it out again. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Can I be of assistance?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email of them has the shutters up.' not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "What then?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as and that he would see to anything that turned up. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" power." new duties?' "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to this man was intellectual?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent which our visitor detailed to us. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Yes, it would be as well." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Farm upon the left." galvanised. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering past. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with you in your example." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but galvanised. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I throat." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Bought." cigar and let me expound." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country believe that I should never have any practice at all. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go my little problems." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Arthur Conan Doyle thirty. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in were unconscious?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it fat-encircled eyes. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened troubles have been weighing upon his mind. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the it with his own hands." of them has the shutters up.' front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching his face. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds yards of it?' groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their your equipment. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his as yours." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and that he will be back before evening." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you off." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the inner apartment." all?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "It must be recovered." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," asked. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "But he might be a bachelor." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, attention." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very her also." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my which our visitor detailed to us. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own was shining brightly. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." into the room. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's geese which you supplied to the Alpha." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Then you may be so with me." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry he bowed and left the room without another word. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" of Fenchurch Street." "And how have you succeeded?" "'Yes, it was gone.' therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Sutherland?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said case before our client came into the room." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as