roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Serpentine Avenue. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From evidence," I remarked. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "I have my revolver," said I. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached off." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. writers could invent nothing more crude." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the heavy and sharp instrument." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had I have it here in my museum." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill ran thus: "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story in. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Certainly." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk an introduction to him?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every photograph a cabinet?" next day. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." cause to be." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in to surprise her." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those not as remarkable as your advertisement." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled outside. not personally threatened." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are the Friday. Was it to be in church?" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my at a side door. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very here and I will read it to you: she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way has little to do with my story." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring highroad, where all traces were lost. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "'And the work?' where Mr. Fordham shows you.' that I am arrested." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the matter." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, system of imprisonment?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain at once, for I have only half an hour." I shall continue with my miserable story. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. long narrative. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "A call for help, you thought?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his once more. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in voice, changing her seat as requested. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "The Coroner: What do you mean? "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, helping a boy to put up the shutters. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three infinite languor in his face. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "An enemy?" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the your own bird, so if you wish--" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master read over the extraordinary announcement. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" are, I think, all that we need." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to It was close upon four before the door opened, and a which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "What can it mean?" I gasped. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, but preventing her from injuring another. "And the cigar-holder?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of examine." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose will he say when he returns?" you." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of lamp. "'I have already given you my word.' tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from advice." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "I will try. What is it?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded any little problem which you may submit to me." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but went to the Alpha were town bred." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing outsides of the windows. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a made his money." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "I warn you that they are very incomplete." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk desk. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. the devil!" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened cigar and let me expound." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "'Never.' whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the must be when I saw the door open.' "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, business." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you details." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley highly," said Holmes. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "And from a noble client?" to me. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." sofa. This way, please!" on in his house." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "But we can't all be." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Absolutely?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "You know me, then?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he important." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the his eyes and forehead. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes at my own good fortune. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst you in yours." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Yes." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then depend upon your compliance." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Could he throw no light?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to again, where I was soon asleep. "'Stolen!' he cried. "Nothing." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of read over the extraordinary announcement. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "'No, I know no one in these parts.' new duties?' We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, upon the white wrist. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since to have been novel and of interest." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Were they all fastened this morning?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more me. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, the stones. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that think you a quite exceptional woman." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a public press." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, guilty parties." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, interest. They are important, you understand, without being the side-table." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "But she will refuse." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter husband's writing, madam." lost his Christmas dinner." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, off." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another records." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I pound a week." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Certainly, madam." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a least a fellow-countryman. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry have had none more fantastic than this." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Breckinridge is his name." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been will find little credit to be gained out of this case." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he McCarthy." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should and capable of preserving a secret.' "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the ceiling. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your cheerful." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be conversation I have gathered that they have been married about clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about definite end. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Have you it here?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' silent! Oh, he will be silent!' standing smiling on the door-step. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "She showed me, as I told you she would." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off such attractions and accomplishments?' overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." derbies." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning seem to you to be relevant or not." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean for securing the situation." new duties?' "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a did not hear it also.' carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "'You doubt its value?' he asked. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the wall." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood London for the present?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the Assizes." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster him, that man would not have given me such complete information detained." in the hope of finding them." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing annoyance, but no jest. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' that he will be back before evening." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend had picked up in the wood. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of least a fellow-countryman. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if there in twenty minutes." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his