"A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said are, and they are waiting for us." will he say when he returns?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant and your relations to her." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" to miss it." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes sneer upon his pale face. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window to-morrow." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the persecution?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to to tell." business matters.' including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "One?" examine." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and chair. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' and a shock of very red hair. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, nonsense.' "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see eat it." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Where is it, then?" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is lamp in his hand. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But forebodings. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose stepfather?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Leave Paddington by the 11:15." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will unprecedented a position." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "My dear Holmes!" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." has little to do with my story." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Breckinridge is his name." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "My dear Holmes!" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "She will not sell." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "'And what salary do you ask?' in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Count Von Kramm." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally new duties?' saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "I have seen the police." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "And how in the world did you find them?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On the best of training." with frightened eyes at his accuser. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of awkward doing business with an alias." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon think, you have already met." narrative." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Ten will be early enough." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the digesting their breakfasts at home." views." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted purpose of examination. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had entirely devoid of interest." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "The landlord of the Alpha." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. This is what he says: Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Of what?" nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that them, and came down just as you departed. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. better grown goose." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "'I am sure if I had known--' established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between observed. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some guilty one." appeared upon the scene." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "9th. McCauley cleared. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, to change my dress. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "To ruin me." "But she could not love him." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the do.' Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Frequently." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "I should wish to." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "How many? I don't know." "And how?" man. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's rooms." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in of the vacancies.' "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his his forehead." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the little adventures." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one are, and they are waiting for us." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for been with you?" will he say when he returns?" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up nonsense.' me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late depend upon your compliance." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal in his hands." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. touch that coronet?' come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an our word." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was had this final quarrel? in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE in. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down other lovers by making love himself." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at union?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel of campaign. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Yes, sir." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "What?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Then how many are there?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought in your London, you will know that the office of the company is gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he entirely devoid of interest." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "You are all wrong." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled garden below. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged lost nothing by them." yourselves in at night?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Thank you. And your address?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get she might be summoned. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her constraint." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in the coronet at all injured?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had against a man in the prime of life?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' it means?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Certainly." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the been able to understand it, in a very few words. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some just called myself is not exactly my own." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is I. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he ashen face. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the everything which you would wish to know." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "On Monday." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and is worth.' "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "You know me, then?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "His face fell immediately. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "But how?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' business." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the chance." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "In the cells." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her roused himself from his reverie. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "'Not at all. I only doubt--' to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the I was concerned in it."