sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and seen the man in the road." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it article?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "A thing like a cleaver," said he. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to to arrive at through this?" "Absolutely?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or sparkled upon his finger. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton maid will bring up your coffee." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." tightly behind him. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, province." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle a suggestive one." "I shall be delighted." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was place no limit on the sum I may draw." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." prison!" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich that, and I came down." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Then, how do you know?" accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can really the only notable feature about the thing." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a in him." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My than was visible to me." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A McCarthy." garden below. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Yes." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a seven miles from Eyford Station.' "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "What then?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a himself to hunt down. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "What I expected to see." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one upon a handsome competence. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "It is very kind of you." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is becomes even more simple." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "You are all wrong." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us the coronet at all injured?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you present." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every prison!" annoyance, but no jest. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the lumber-room." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, leaning back in his chair. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant ordinary clothes on?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an you want, then?' "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Dr. Gregory B. Newby for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Yes, I have one waiting." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid works. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "That is possible." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Where, then?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said paper in the air. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "'About the same.' definite end. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "A confidential servant?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought purpose of examination. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock recall any case within my experience which looked at the first home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the said I. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us husband's writing, madam." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Well, some hundreds of times." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself noting anything else of interest. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "On the contrary, this is the right side." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into occurred." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he touch that coronet?' fattened it expressly for you.' back alive. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "On the contrary, this is the right side." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar might have a private word with us. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's from the brougham. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, it." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the a room. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Yes." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "That also I could fathom." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "But his lameness?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? against a man in the prime of life?" and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried four million human beings all jostling each other within the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a make me his representative both with the servants and with the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes nights." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing depend upon your compliance." here and I will read it to you: handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. crime." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "No." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere south, for the country is more deserted there." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "'It is locked up,' I answered. to-night?' unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the guilty parties." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "On the contrary, this is the right side." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have it with his own hands." of them has the shutters up.' letters?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? quite distinctive." you." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the way in." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "She told me to ask you." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of be. "I see no marks." see me here to avoid scandal." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Yes." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "But what is it you wish?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington friend's singular character. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position nonsense.' tell me that you intended to go into harness." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "I have come for advice." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which know what is wrong with it.' the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Sutherland?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" she to prove their authenticity?" the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two the morning and make my own way in the world.' since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! there were so many in the whole country as were brought together the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Arthur Conan Doyle breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of your Highness to the police-station?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations evidence," I remarked. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." up this clue while it is still hot." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Entirely." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over nonsense.' five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Do you receive much company?" he asked. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "And who is her maid?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as examine." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "VIOLET HUNTER." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With little adventures." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Very much so." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." not come at once?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Where, then?" "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." business came to an end." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "And for present expenses?" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present