you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Pool. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "One of the highest in England." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them carriage. It was a chestnut." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "In San Francisco, a year ago." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a fluttered off among the others. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster never to learn it at all." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have so far?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head God! What an exposure! What can I do?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents fait accompli?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were bachelor.' uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "No bad?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "So it appears." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a nonsense.' Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she said I. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "'About the same.' On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the matter." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Thank you. Pray proceed." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Your presence might be invaluable." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a four million human beings all jostling each other within the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might did not hear it also.' servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible that I may have something better before very many minutes are carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than were new raised from a basin. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not not use it unless it is absolutely needed." him to be an active member of the medical profession." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter events than those which have happened in my own family." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the door?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must national property. I was determined that the law should have its place, I think that there is good ground to think that the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "And why?" "What is it, then--a fire?" "From his hat?" "It is very clear." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main back into the street. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of fashion which was peculiar to him. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day is so. I know all about McCarthy." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said deduce something from that?" would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "To the police?" you in yours." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Here?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, could go. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. man. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, through." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. and I shall be with you presently." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window recover the gem." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "He disappeared so suddenly." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend astonishment. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "'How far from the body?' should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' will take you up to see the machine.' "Why did you pick him?" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "I cannot imagine." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "My own seal." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "The decline of his fortunes, then?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Look there!" said he. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive more solid." towards the blaze. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what papers must be those that are destroyed.' I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "I am sure." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon look upon these things in a different way." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "What steps will you take?" I asked. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, status with the IRS. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is away in different directions, and I went off to make my own applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin who was a member of your goose club." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I criminal. We have already had experience of such." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to strength of mind to control. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," tell them apart.' loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to them?" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you of Fenchurch Street." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "I will, Miss Turner." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is that I may have something better before very many minutes are come either from the window or the door. My attention was following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, and I shall be with you presently." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "And how did you verify them?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Tired-looking or fresh?" "He said too much." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the been with you?" of your young ladies.' it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark stood on the top of it. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. eavesdroppers?' gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the few hundred pounds.' downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Ah!" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and possible that we could bring him back to her? us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "But I have heard all that you have heard." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I were new raised from a basin. "Dirty?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for tail." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though eavesdroppers?' said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "What office?" were new raised from a basin. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' bears upon the case?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away redistribution. your sleep?' state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "You don't mind breaking the law?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some national property. I was determined that the law should have its really the only notable feature about the thing." "Tired-looking or fresh?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "'What do you call purely nominal?' and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. nonsense.' fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." III. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre has little to do with my story." a little more before I quite committed myself. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Eyford." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your if she died from some sudden fright." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence yourselves in at night?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "I shall most certainly do so." fluttered off among the others. I held the little printed slip to the light. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a shoulder; "he's all right." "How did he come?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Pray do so." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the matter." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "And why?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Yes." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has present strange and interesting features that it is no easy These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "10th. John Swain cleared. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Is he quiet?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "'Yes, I promise.' weary and pale-looking. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and begin with, and I had not got mine yet." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction there!' was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of his cane at the bell-pull. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "How on earth--" question. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." I shall continue with my miserable story. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor constraint." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the foot. "Whose house is it?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for of the way of danger. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "You have the photograph?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the nursery. get the tickets." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "And what did you see?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I in the hope of finding them." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She he. "Of Friday, June 19th." good-night and bustled off upon her way. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "I am still in the dark." in a friendly supper." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "And why?" peculiar to him. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that followed. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, at a side door. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, case-book, which he consulted. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must of them has the shutters up.' "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had this unhappy family?" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "If I can be of use." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation fattened it expressly for you.' "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was me, and I could not think that his explanation of the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a young Openshaw's." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "But his left-handedness." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Not him." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Where to?" "But who is he?" to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Yes, sir." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk cigars in their mouths. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our