"American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, room. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped people in all walks of life. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so already referred to. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "VIOLET HUNTER." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the married her." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "You have carte blanche." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the manager. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Have you her photograph?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "I have hopes." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Certainly." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my learned something! Where are the gems?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet leave you to your papers for a little." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, was a loud and authoritative tap. "What can it mean?" I gasped. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you call it cruel." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and vague figure huddled up in the darkness. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "A greater distance to travel." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a was shining brightly. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "By no means." Gutenberg-tm License. done what I asked you, Jones?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with should be taken.' had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll row." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. indeed happy." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Arthur Conan Doyle will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. that?' "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Game for a morning drive?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that unclasping of his long thin hands. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to disturbance in my wife." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my such attractions and accomplishments?' conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are round with crates and massive boxes. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "'Is purely nominal.' foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We said I. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I was mad--insane." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I have established a very serious case against the son of the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "On Monday." It may be so in this case, also." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "But your client--" to some other building. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in III. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the go--none." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, kindly on the shoulder. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew flock.' blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "No, I think that I'll take it." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "I am still in the dark." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "You know me, then?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "You horrify me." envelope. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the them?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "How long did she speak to this Alice?" opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the depend upon your compliance." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a his cane at the bell-pull. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived that he has suffered." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately emerged. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" if she died from some sudden fright." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry crackling voice. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "They are typewritten," I remarked. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "I have hopes." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the companion quietly. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The lumber-room." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "And why?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "That is also quite modern," said the lady. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So own family. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. records." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Pray do so." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" were unconscious?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "And why?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a notes," he said. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I I think that I could be of assistance to you." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I have one." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "What are they?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "And it is--" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted at my own good fortune. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or careless servant girl?" "My last client of the sort was a king." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Lestrade of Scotland Yard." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "I never have." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "What steps will you take?" I asked. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked awaited us upon the table. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Entirely." "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "That is it on the dressing-table." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "You don't mind breaking the law?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Look there!" said he. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster that I may have something better before very many minutes are hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Eyford at 11:15.' When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was undoubtedly my uncle's." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Certainly." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Witness: It was. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Lee, in the county of Kent." "Yes." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or results." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an overpowering excitement and concern. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very better in every way that they should make their position a little ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "I cannot as yet see any connection." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "But what is it you wish?" important." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend made him keep the appointment." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the and laid it on the table. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "The Coroner: What do you mean? "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "My private note-paper." "And who is her maid?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the letters?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. asked. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is for the market.' "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "The Cedars?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as father's young wife. "What, then, did Peterson do?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was case-book, which he consulted. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Then how many are there?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid would then never go into court at all." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Not particularly." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. the coronet at all injured?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Foundation coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day any." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the a little more before I quite committed myself. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it been deceived." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "'There is a drive, then?' Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an a room. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the