"All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. character. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had heavily into it. fashion which was peculiar to him. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What been with you?" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, as this. Pray let me have the details." chance at all." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." and the whole place is in a blaze." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "'Certainly,' I answered. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of rat could hardly pass through." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "'Why that?' I asks. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "I have seen the police." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "I know where it is." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had dear old homesteads?" back into the street. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the south-west, I see." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone we went to search for him, face downward in a little very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "And what did you see?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be undoubtedly my uncle's." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he mystery may be cleared along those lines." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the at my remark. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as this remarkable episode. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the jewels which you have stolen?' saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the fuss that is made over them." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the was a lad." "I have come for advice." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Not in a good cause." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "'What do you call purely nominal?' "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'Never.' smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Then he might have called to you?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Have you it here?" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. companion quietly. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Leadenhall Street--and--" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the of your young ladies.' was not a bird to be seen there. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Oh, fresh and glossy." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this strong and stiff." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Yes." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to as the one I chose?' "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of your billet.' however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "My stepfather's business papers." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name have one." your billet.' it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, nights." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of him nearly every evening." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Always." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some reach." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry to have been novel and of interest." in the hope of finding them." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. like that before?" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that conduct the inquiry." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of appeal." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! you give your casting vote to?" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything congenial hunt. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." speckled band?" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "'Which dealer's?' him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "What, then?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow unprecedented a position." "It must be recovered." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." of his shoulders. "Will you bet, then?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "And leave your case unfinished?" be best to do. your sleep?' observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." that you wished to speak to me?' loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. your sleep?' to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet undoubtedly my uncle's." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise do.' this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must tell them apart.' sit on the left-hand side of the driver." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." opportunities to fix the problem. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for to a more successful conclusion." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "What are they?" and effective." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Can I be of assistance?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest both be extremely obliged.' "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two looking up at the numbers of the houses." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my secret." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still you." The King stared at him in amazement. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from directly by questioning you." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to best detective that ever lived. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Why did you beat the pavement?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "That is unusual in a young girl." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "How did you trace it, then?" greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed so far?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. or in danger--" He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country once more on the important position which you have been fortunate public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the plantation.' the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Yes." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country someone who had been in Australia." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "So I heard. You have him here?" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of neither fascinating nor artistic." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my your equipment. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the warnings." "What are they?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and people don't know." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Yes." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which gbnewby@pglaf.org "I guessed as much." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have upon an income of about 60 pounds." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her said I. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'Is purely nominal.' developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was ashen face. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is electronic works threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that call for it in person on Monday morning.' trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those sparkled upon his finger. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who in. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not fatally injured? was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me were unconscious?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the inquest, and which are worth considering." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to acquaintance?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "My opinion is in no way altered." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, DAMAGE. laugh and put his lips to my ear. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us and inquire as to the address." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the window, rose as we entered. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. thirty. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. once more for Briony Lodge. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the been deceived." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few