"I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his not come at once?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. ventilator." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the foot. the morning and make my own way in the world.' the date of his supposed suicide." rooms." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "'I am sure that I do not know.' answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to hour?' and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "In the cells." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, been." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to about here speaks of his kindness to him." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and his forehead." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "It is true that I have been generally successful." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Breckinridge is his name." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates it." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "I don't say that. Perhaps." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not points to suicide?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the warnings." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the rat could hardly pass through." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "About a month then." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful heavily into it. forehead. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a invisible to me," I remarked. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Yes, at the mines." "It is half-past ten now." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little conceal it?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is his fortune, and I went back to pa. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Of Friday, June 19th." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Why did you pick him?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round four million human beings all jostling each other within the to arrive at through this?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. not as remarkable as your advertisement." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one disappearance of the bride.'" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a invisible to me," I remarked. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I fasten all the windows?" recover the gem." "'Yes, sir.' over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Heh?' developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "They are typewritten," I remarked. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers politicians who had been sent down from the North. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Stolen, then." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I if she died from some sudden fright." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "I am armed." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his my friend's incisive reasoning. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Eh? What was that?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a if only as a check to my own memory." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." the Assizes." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and envelope. nice household for a young lady." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the said he. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," question," said Holmes, smiling. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you gone. hour." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him His smile broadened. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a McCarthy." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then derbies." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, man. I know him from the photograph." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Did he not advertise?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Foundation Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "The best possible." "It is his hat." Leadenhall Street--and--" "Yes." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man room. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Doctor, of the paper and the date." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know chance." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "But how will you look?" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had was lame." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. mysterious end." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Mrs. Toller serenely. are, I think, all that we need." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each II. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his is," said he presently: always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "It certainly sounds feasible." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have my room." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "'And the work?' black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Yes." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I so far?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "But I am all in the dark." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt official police." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Quite so. She has her freedom." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue lost nothing by them." deduce something from that?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer acted in my house last night?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I crime. secret." writing, and yet I know it well." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "But his lameness?" these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "To an end?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of help us in this matter." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "I say that I have solved it." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now was it brought him the coronet? finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not of the vacancies.' and effective." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice not personally threatened." at a side door. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and chamber." morning." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." that you wished to speak to me?' "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." electronic works vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him think, you have already met." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the matter." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "I was sure that I might rely on you." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the Red-headed League." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any felt the room to be a little close.' "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "No." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his in this way: it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, mysterious end." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "My opinion is in no way altered." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Yes." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could affection." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever prison!" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this bore every mark of being an average commonplace British reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'Stolen!' he cried. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Pray do so." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Cross for the Continent." "But what will you do?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "I will do it." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "No sign of it?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed to a light-house. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "'There is a drive, then?' not interfere, come what may. You understand?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I village inn over there?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Of Friday, June 19th." security.' have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I in his power. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will returning from some small jollification and was making his way that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE with frightened eyes at his accuser. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to locked. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Perhaps we may make them less so." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had very morning of my second wedding." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I see many objections to any such theory." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a to have that photograph." the inner apartment." all that?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Yes, I have one waiting." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that maiden herself was most instructive." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile