Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. did not hear it also.' not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as notes," he said. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he redistribution. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar lamp in his hand. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "At half-wages, in fact." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident whole matter to your consideration." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "No." too. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge said he. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you prepare for the new role I have to play." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all you do it in twenty minutes!' "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "But of what society?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "And help." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was go--none." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Yes, but only for you and me." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet me what he had done with the three missing stones. to arrive at through this?" http://gutenberg.net/license). these bleak autumnal evenings." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and skylight. "The Cedars?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of galvanised. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly there!' "'I am sure if I had known--' it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. soul! here is her carriage at the door." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "'Then let me do so?' nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone me what he had done with the three missing stones. "That also I could fathom." it means?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "I am following you closely," I answered. there has been an enclosure here!" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, entirely lost his self-respect." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the deduce something from that?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those me where it went to?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" coat-tails." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a fasten all the windows?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a From what you have told me I think that it is possible that it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished as noiselessly as she had come. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." tell them apart.' moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" the house with me." it right.' "Pray tell us what has happened to you." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "You forget that I know nothing about it." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and of this gang." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my to a light-house. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "And for present expenses?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Yes, from Horsham." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "What, then, did Peterson do?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is and have this put in the evening papers." confronted him. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to was shining brightly. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met or in danger--" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but begun to whiten, even as mine has." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private article?" wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "How did you trace it, then?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Very truly yours, would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Do you go out much in society?" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. that you can jump it.' with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at weighed down with some great anxiety. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so think you a quite exceptional woman." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your it. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." or other trace. But how on earth--" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Have you her photograph?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the to miss it." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "'I am sure if I had known--' you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey one of the states of the Union." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "What will you do, then?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of conduct the inquiry." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to with you?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your appeared upon the scene." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "I do." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all said he. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Quite so." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the excitement. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing nice household for a young lady." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Why, it's a dummy," said he. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room drove away. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "It is possible." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. questionable one." too. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing directors have had misgivings upon the subject." question," said Holmes, smiling. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public prepare for the new role I have to play." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "I cannot imagine." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong at a side door. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." of the vacancies.' compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they some place of shelter and let the county police know what has as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House learned something! Where are the gems?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as south, for the country is more deserted there." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Eyford at 11:15.' "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I will try. What is it?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Her father is very rich?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. you do it in twenty minutes!' simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Eyford." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he the house with me." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little case-book, which he consulted. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Why did you beat the pavement?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the address that was given us in the advertisement. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you happened." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Eyford at 11:15.' "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive useful material for showing traces. The double line a little probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from note?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "'Which dealer's?' grasp, he hurried from the room. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Seven!" I answered. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he bears upon the case?" "Do you go out much in society?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "It looks newer than the other things?" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Quite so. She has her freedom." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.