step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and behind me. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled someone who had been in Australia." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved ourselves in the office." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. not as remarkable as your advertisement." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "'Not at all. I only doubt--' License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my away in different directions, and I went off to make my own the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "I am in hopes that she does." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. I think that I could be of assistance to you." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "It came here." coroner's jury." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in horse could go." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know companion. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Nearly eleven." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Certainly." himself to tell his story. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that rose-bushes. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "That is unusual in a young girl." writer." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "And on what day did he meet his death?" photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is your bag." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Holmes' thin, eager face. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the bottom.' "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in trying to your nerves." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. infinite languor in his face. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as to-night's adventure." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. with her." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune details." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Entirely." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the general public were present, then?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for kindly on the shoulder. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of tear off another piece?' For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Quite so." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." be best to do. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough My friend smiled. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "What office?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have of." interested in these little problems, and since you are good to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "What! a murderous attack?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists article?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray signal between you and your father? performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with conclusions. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our once more. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was McCarthy." "Yes." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, other lovers by making love himself." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very thirty. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Yes, the wine-cellar." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Of what?" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Not social, then?" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found his face which made him a very different person to the round, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting one or two very singular points about this room. For example, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, you for a few hours?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" your most interesting statement." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have head. So long, then!" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Pray tell us what has happened to you." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been call you and give you the chance." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a what is your own theory as to what took place?" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two through." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out question," said Holmes, smiling. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." to affect your life." face and glided from the room. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at knowledge of the world." late!' should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Holmes' thin, eager face. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Oh, yes, easily." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the nonsense.' as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new ill-usage at the hands of fortune. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, I am not easy in my mind about them." "But how will you look?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some when your master had gone out." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. appeared upon the scene." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "I will try. What is it?" coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "That you are never beaten." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet system of imprisonment?" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "'And what salary do you ask?' yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "'Stolen!' he cried. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. shall not find me ungrateful." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the with frightened eyes at his accuser. cheerful." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his tightly behind him. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "She will not sell." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to tail." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Doctor, of the paper and the date." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your Henry Baker is a member." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! over here." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the into the room. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "You have the photograph?" night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. three of the beryls in it, was missing. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "I am following you closely," I answered. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and heavy and sharp instrument." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" reach." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "And when will you call?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you congenial hunt. "Why serious?" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She British peeress.'" Pool. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Was he the only applicant?" provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of was a loud and authoritative tap. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted better in every way that they should make their position a little your only hope of safety." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Just look it up, then." you?" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having 1.F. Have you good authority for what you say?" singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is excitement. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a chamber." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Did you become engaged then?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or himself to tell his story. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Dr. Gregory B. Newby my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box key turn in the lock." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Then, how do you know?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' ordinary clothes on?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I second." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their better in every way that they should make their position a little them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I my special province." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Holmes' face clouded over. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most gone. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with in his power. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I morning." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Of Friday, June 19th." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE this remarkable episode. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each legal crime." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and discontent upon his features. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" less than 26s. 4d. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than whereabouts. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Who by?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "What then?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, be best to do. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "I guessed as much." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "'You cannot say what it was?' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "VIOLET HUNTER." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time.