over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "It is very clear." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Then I shall certainly come." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "My last client of the sort was a king." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a morning." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other and laid it on the table. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she photograph?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else address. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which McCarthy." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was with some details as to your case." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across there has been an enclosure here!" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I answered that I had not. danger is over." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Edgeware Road. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." absorbing." could not have written that. It is the German who is so Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about of it with the greatest attention. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. prepare for the new role I have to play." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "What! Had he lost his wife?" son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. the window, rose as we entered. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall address. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears foot. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Why, what do you mean?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had address. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "None." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter you understand?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you so far?" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly over with notes and figures. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, beg that you will break it off." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Well, some hundreds of times." nothing of it?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the always that they were such commands as a lady might with leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "There are none." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that observed. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last you?" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this once more for Briony Lodge. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "But he might be a bachelor." papers." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the recover the gem." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Very much so." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it ashen face. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. union?" "And how did you verify them?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Doctor, of the paper and the date." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar national property. I was determined that the law should have its south, for the country is more deserted there." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards vague figure huddled up in the darkness. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Why, it's a dummy," said he. careless servant girl?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my indiscretion." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the and the church but not where the lady lived." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "No more words. Get out!" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "What, then?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Seven!" I answered. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before written, and locked the door of the office after me. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you said he. writing, and yet I know it well." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Why did you beat the pavement?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning him and tried to hold him back. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "They are typewritten," I remarked. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in national property. I was determined that the law should have its search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no had died away into the silence from which it rose. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to round with crates and massive boxes. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much http://gutenberg.net/license). "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have the best of training." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential could not account in any way for the presence of the missing the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that the so-precious time, but come!' "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "It must be recovered." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a mystery." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best this man was intellectual?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Yes. He waved his hands." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Holmes." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the opportunities to fix the problem. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened noise which awoke you from your sleep?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week and have this put in the evening papers." be there in time for your coming." get her out of the way." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a one of the states of the Union." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the sake, don't!" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "It looks newer than the other things?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "It may not come to that," said Holmes. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient may never be exposed to such a temptation." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the new duties?' depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon not within a twentieth part of the market price." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the is," said he presently: in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he individual and becomes the badge of a society." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and You can understand that this register and diary may implicate train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I sake, don't!" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to forbidden door. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Precisely." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very that the gas is not laid on in his house?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I held up the lantern and gazed about him. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "So I am. Very much so." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, morning." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop presented more singular features than that which was associated plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. appeal." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in see a sister of mine apply for." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Yes." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I will try. What is it?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Why did you beat the pavement?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other train from Paddington which would bring you there at about conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be address. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "I am about to be married." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "And I to find an enemy." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Yes." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and you understand?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile secret." writer." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was all that?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Pray be precise as to details," said he. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back it." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "But his left-handedness." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for later, upon the night of May 2nd." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Ten will be early enough." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old fire. You quite follow me?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and narrative." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "It was an hour's good drive." "Where to?" lost nothing by them." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Pool. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one it were putty." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I during which he might have communicated with his friend the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to before, for it was considerably after midnight. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco I nodded to show that I had heard. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a rat could hardly pass through." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Why did you pick him?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished along the entire front of the house, with three long windows parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "But she will refuse." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30."