wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "No, my brougham is waiting." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he weigh very heavily upon my conscience." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it official police." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after even of instruction." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me careless servant girl?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in too. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it III. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, through." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small tell him that I know him to be innocent." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "By train from Waterloo." chambers. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the nursery. The King stared at him in amazement. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of present strange and interesting features that it is no easy my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "And Irene Adler?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor article?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be DISSOLVED. Literary Archive Foundation by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I hard-headed British jury." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it closing the door. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "So I heard. You have him here?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both of." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to is now desirous of getting those letters back." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "I know where it is." cost them two and thirty pounds." unclasping of his long thin hands. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from through." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "But the mystery?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed stepfather?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up McCarthy." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and trying to your nerves." better in every way that they should make their position a little warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and in a very precise fashion." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about question. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Oh, the cause is excellent!" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to room had already been engaged for us. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "'Very good.' "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have less than 26s. 4d. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "But who is he?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily have not had my rubber." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "10th. John Swain cleared. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most washing it down with a long draught of water. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds hurried by. would apply.' "In San Francisco, a year ago." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without 1.F. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, footfalls from the street. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be introspective fashion. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel of the efforts of the United States government and of the better death." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Nothing." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away cigars in the box." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I paper in the air. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the your own bird, so if you wish--" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming You want to know what became of those geese?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an not within a twentieth part of the market price." "One?" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "ARAT," I read. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found brain must have something in it." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of row." "And I to find an enemy." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "A confidential servant?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of my secret was safe in his possession. "It is his hat." will take you up to see the machine.' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "It is a murder, then?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the house with me." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." certainly do as you advise." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the eavesdroppers?' Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a she to prove their authenticity?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged copied or distributed: "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the joking. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his again before evening." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you case before our client came into the room." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "So I heard. You have him here?" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban my special province." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean vault. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "I am about to be married." that you saw all that I did." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, The events in question occurred in the early days of my gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us disappearance of the bride.'" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of horse could go." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could I nodded to show that I had heard. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project derbies." "I cannot as yet see any connection." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there know what is wrong with it.' he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing with some details as to your case." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "'You cannot say what it was?' "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether too. "None." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "The Coroner: What do you mean? fact, we may call it conclusive." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in wedding?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "And from a noble client?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Murdered?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." present." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big papers must be those that are destroyed.' meant it for the best. important." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "I will do it." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Well, it is a possible supposition." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "How long did she speak to this Alice?" newspaper selections." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do to his chemical studies. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most indeed happy." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Was your sister dressed?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite late." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no away in different directions, and I went off to make my own estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, prison!" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, there." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered enter Dr. Roylott's room." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards vague figure huddled up in the darkness. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project have accepted such a situation. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she burst into a hearty fit of laughter. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he indiscretion." ways of our fellow-men." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would where Mr. Fordham shows you.' 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. upon the shelf for the interim." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Come in!" said Holmes. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "It may not come to that," said Holmes. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down these bleak autumnal evenings." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round to you." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "The knees of his trousers." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth should be so warm over such a trifle." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Then he might have called to you?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the my friend's incisive reasoning. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "I cannot tell." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any crackling voice. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. man. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call your troubles." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "You think that he is dead?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net),