"'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I For additional contact information: "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of chance at all." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. leave you to your papers for a little." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. depend upon my doing so.' sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "His face fell immediately. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and criminal. We have already had experience of such." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you never came back." "What! You do not mean bodies?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the himself to hunt down. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Texas, I think." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "It is a murder, then?" "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "To the police?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were digesting their breakfasts at home." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Count Von Kramm." maid will bring up your coffee." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from nights." as he remarks, very much against the son." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "How often?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who sit on the left-hand side of the driver." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "And now?" He raised his hand. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "My last client of the sort was a king." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage woman." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "I am armed." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British bird I ate is country bred." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the enter Dr. Roylott's room." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be both be extremely obliged.' carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him observed. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most so.' companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, other lovers by making love himself." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon is a common subject for conversation. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with suggested at once that there must be a communication between the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept union?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." emerged. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my the coronet at all injured?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "This photograph!" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham 1.E.9. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." shaken than I had ever seen him. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "How about poison?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'Ten to two.' wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, he bowed and left the room without another word. "What are they?" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we unclasping of his long thin hands. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "But I am all in the dark." "It is true that I have been generally successful." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide advice." other means.' conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "10th. John Swain cleared. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie depend upon your compliance." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "I have seen the police." closely." as noiselessly as she had come. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked woman." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing bird of prey. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is with her." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking all-comprehensive glances. he bowed and left the room without another word. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Did you observe the colour?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Have you it here?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the I am not easy in my mind about them." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left tightly behind him. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" business matters.' "If I can be of use." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "I shall be delighted." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Yes." "To an end?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than detained." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "I do." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "'Which dealer's?' may have an influence upon European history." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in opened the door, and slipped through. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet examine." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Pool. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Dr. Gregory B. Newby I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "And is that all?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding back to my heart. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really again on its way. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Of what day?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with fatally injured? that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith people in all walks of life. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was over his head with a sweet womanly caress. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "But your client--" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the loss of it. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his discontent upon his features. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His late." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I was a perfect sample of the class. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Never." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up directly by questioning you." "Do you know him?" very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church client, rising. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "And what did you see?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as she might be summoned. envelope. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt helping a boy to put up the shutters. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "VIOLET HUNTER." been with you?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. where she found matters as described by the last witness. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Where does the thing come from?' American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Pray tell us what has happened to you." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that where Mr. Fordham shows you.' inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "But you have hopes?" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "I never have." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her second window is the one that I jumped from." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "At half-wages, in fact." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that emerged. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Where does the thing come from?' "What! You do not mean bodies?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to passage and a tap at the door. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged horse could go." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their in a friendly supper." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out not within a twentieth part of the market price." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger my secret was safe in his possession. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Literary Archive Foundation anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "To the police?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Certainly." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my may never be exposed to such a temptation." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "'Certainly not. But why?' corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual the ceiling. promised to bring home. "May I see it?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still likely to be some crony of the landlady's." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' narrative." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in