ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Henry Baker is a member." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of his face. people don't know." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the very morning of the wedding." society." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "What I expected to see." "Tired-looking or fresh?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes call it cruel." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen good-night and bustled off upon her way. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She tell them apart.' summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever me upon any point which I do not make clear." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads you." is four-and-twenty." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water it with his own hands." "Nothing." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about about. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her I took the paper from him and read as follows: The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. lips." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Entirely." occupations.' at my own good fortune. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in someone who had been in Australia." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for overpowering excitement and concern. events than those which have happened in my own family." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then ordinary clothes on?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Pool. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Who was the criminal, then?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the long narrative. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out to where he stood hid behind the curtain. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "By no means." "He might." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in woman who has had her own way to make in the world. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Where to?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? it were putty." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "You horrify me." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are on in his house." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself allusion to a rat. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. character. the morning and make my own way in the world.' so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his writing, and yet I know it well." humiliation." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, of the way of danger. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "'And what salary do you ask?' business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Pray do so." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the address that was given us in the advertisement. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as strode off upon his way. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "'Yes, I promise.' copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the better in every way that they should make their position a little "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the that once more for Briony Lodge. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." side. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled was once confined in the cab my mission was practically you, my dear young lady?' by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid and laid it on the table. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both was keenly on my guard against him. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "And I." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' take the flies, but not before." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us where we are going." dead, shall be safe with us." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "A greater distance to travel." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, entirely lost his self-respect." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our weapon." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four matter over." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." lamp. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when young Openshaw's." promised to bring home. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." if I call to-morrow?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Pool. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and gigantic client. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, laugh and put his lips to my ear. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my been." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "So I heard. You have him here?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Yes, sir." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'Very good.' this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was more terrible than the truth. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of colour had been driven from his face. "What shall I do?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Ah!" "Bought." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "What! Had he lost his wife?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Not social, then?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "The rest you will leave in our hands." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a there is a decided draught." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, tension within him. one else, I think." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall which are rolled in Rotterdam." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Did you become engaged then?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "He said that you could solve anything." just ask you whether you had heard it.' drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "An accident, I presume?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to in one or two places in England?' in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall train from Paddington which would bring you there at about body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the general public were present, then?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "To ruin me." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Thank you. And your address?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to from the brougham. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and was not a bird to be seen there. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' cup of tea. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up down in his armchair and closing his eyes. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "'Entirely.' logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural call you and give you the chance." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Holmes' thin, eager face. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a searched, without anything being found which could incriminate with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." you give your casting vote to?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That and looked back. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, rose-bushes. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Then, how do you know?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" to change my dress. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could the general public were present, then?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque conduct the inquiry." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." all?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he used to be." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the tragedy. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "And when will you call?" outside." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that instituted." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses shadow pass over his face as I spoke. him." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter troubles have been weighing upon his mind. and it need not interfere very much with one's other find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Always." "Oh, fresh and glossy." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you opened a pocket-book and took out a note. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual daring than any effort of the imagination." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a you?' Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "I assure you that I am in your hands." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with to change my dress. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "How often?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and fire. You quite follow me?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "On the contrary, this is the right side." "'Where to?' husband's writing, madam." "I am about to be married." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Yes." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Yes, certainly." "Your sister is dead, then?" them?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Then you may entirely rely on me." "How many? I don't know." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Not social, then?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and fled together." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Well, some hundreds of times." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Certainly." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "It is his hat." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "But you can know nothing of this?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the to me. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. you in yours." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "BALLARAT." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think washing it down with a long draught of water. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our