"Not in a good cause." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to said I. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "And did you observe any change in her then?" doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits once more for Briony Lodge. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such is worth.' had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke that?' better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be was it brought him the coronet? at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your interest. They are important, you understand, without being "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I bore every mark of being an average commonplace British and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up case before our client came into the room." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my locked." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that their singular warning or token before them when starting upon inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His considering the formidable letters which were received by himself set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building will find little credit to be gained out of this case." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain late." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive in a friendly supper." "Ha! you find it so?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a presume?" at my remark. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my golden eyeglasses. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was strange features which were associated with the two crimes which remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Which are?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it to-night?" I asked. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY confronted him. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. stammered. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you some mystery and the punishment of some crime." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the knowledge of the world." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might know that the truth is known." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had locked." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time photograph?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made any little problem which you may submit to me." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Yes." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing James Windibank. Voilà tout!" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor bore every mark of being an average commonplace British gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "But he might be a bachelor." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save yet." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first brain must have something in it." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "This concluded the examination of the witness." within hail.' "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Then I am your man." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that in. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over point our research must commence, and we will begin it by The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet of his shoulders. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was bird I ate is country bred." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss your bag." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom behind me. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "They are typewritten," I remarked. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call done what I asked you, Jones?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been to-night." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our and a shock of very red hair. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My past. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Thank you. And your address?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Then I shall certainly come." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be to me. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Why serious?" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, in his hands." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the tell them apart.' bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of was already answered. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the indiscretion." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is which are rolled in Rotterdam." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, been deceived." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck such person." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "And your mother is alive?" to arrive at through this?" Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of My friend smiled. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. knowledge of the world." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "And what did you learn from him?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Not particularly." persecution?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "It is true that I have been generally successful." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Nothing." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Ah!" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his to Leatherhead. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an been anything against him. He had for years been known as a fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He not come at once?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any you for a few hours?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "'Ample.' analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the already referred to. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "A client, then?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime such attractions and accomplishments?' borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom himself to tell his story. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "And sit in the dark?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "I think that it is very probable." window when the police appeared." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "To an English lawyer named Norton." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "None." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "What I expected to see." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck yet." "'Most admirably.' number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Perhaps I have." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the as he remarks, very much against the son." this remarkable episode. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been have accepted such a situation. "Then I am your man." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE through." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to rat could hardly pass through." "It's nothing of the kind." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" lectures into a series of tales." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." what I may call a really hard day's work." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "You horrify me!" "Well." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed assist you in forming an opinion." "I shall most certainly do so." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and returning from some small jollification and was making his way had no one to advise her at such a crisis." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid