ways of our fellow-men." head. So long, then!" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Come in!" said he. he bowed and left the room without another word. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in until night should bring an explanation. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears to me. mysterious end." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "But what will you do?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Munro.' a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt place no limit on the sum I may draw." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "It is a murder, then?" "9th. McCauley cleared. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Then I can wait in the next room." disappearance of these gems?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an directors have had misgivings upon the subject." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with morning." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you me have 200 pounds?' opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am happened." than was visible to me." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" disappearance of the bride.'" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are to me. "Look there!" said he. gives a meaning to it." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case hard-headed British jury." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "And the murderer?" not fit the lock." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "I am to be neutral?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his it means?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the house with me." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he cost them two and thirty pounds." "I cannot tell." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his without success. At last the little money which I had saved began In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "You have a clue?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to in your London, you will know that the office of the company is whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had hurried away. society." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "None." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could and the church but not where the lady lived." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. interest. They are important, you understand, without being him and tried to hold him back. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, to tell." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "They are typewritten," I remarked. nice household for a young lady." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is notes," he said. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "I think that it is very probable." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked beyond words. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at morning." "You don't mind breaking the law?" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "The Cedars?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke my friend's incisive reasoning. "But it has twice been burgled." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an side. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "But you can know nothing of this?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De be best to do. "Were they all fastened this morning?" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Well." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "I beg pardon." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking what I may call a really hard day's work." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' third from London." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "You have but to name it." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "No." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "And what did you learn from him?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same down. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly presume?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, his face. "What then?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the so-precious time, but come!' post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor present." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both at a side door. thought that she would have been so carried away." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your was used.' future lives." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Holmes' face clouded over. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her views." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Ah!" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had lamp. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a someone who had been in Australia." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry carried out of court." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the get the tickets." in his hands." II. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales records." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, never to learn it at all." "Did you observe the colour?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one experiences." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' depend upon your compliance." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," photograph?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and maid will bring up your coffee." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. both be extremely obliged.' writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "'As governess?' address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "No, thank goodness, she did not." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "'Very good.' "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in morning." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck astonishment. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning awkward doing business with an alias." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Yes, but only for you and me." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Her father is very rich?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some a good hundred miles off by now." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the extraordinary contortions. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Foundation whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and again, where I was soon asleep. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be gives a meaning to it." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in time." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the together. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep a good hundred miles off by now." at a side door. orange pips. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom remarked. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Countess of Morcar's?" unprofitable." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact strength in the others." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Will you go?" "Yes." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "No bad?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small seen the man in the road." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man directly by questioning you." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Where is it, then?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position clanging. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you the dangers which encompass me." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "I know where it is." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty remarked. with the outside air!" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name,