is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here written, and locked the door of the office after me. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "How on earth--" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the ceiling. "In what way?" asked Holmes. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged towards the blaze. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, power." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Was she in good spirits?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him back into the street. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who during which he might have communicated with his friend the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Countess of Morcar's?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up confronted him. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "An enemy?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "'Ample.' be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade to that open window." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "But of what society?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the investigation." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "'Entirely.' habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. fat-encircled eyes. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I cannot as yet see any connection." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak neither fascinating nor artistic." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat your sleep?' significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, annoyance, but no jest. several quiet little villages up there." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are so far?" upon the shelf for the interim." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Not particularly." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "And how did you verify them?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring meant it for the best. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he pressing in one house as in another. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Very well, sir. And this stone?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. other, as fresh and trim as possible. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the constraint." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of McCarthy's innocence. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do rat could hardly pass through." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "I say it is." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "How on earth--" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was gone before you can get him to hospital." to tackle the facts." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the tail." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "No good news?" married her." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too here." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in likely to be some crony of the landlady's." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name directors have had misgivings upon the subject." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is touch that coronet?' foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "I will do it." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "You were travelling in the States?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "And what did you see?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from come either from the window or the door. My attention was him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without late!' deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "And why?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "'As governess?' four million human beings all jostling each other within the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "No." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "'In my own bureau.' The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' business came to an end." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he believe that I should never have any practice at all. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "But how?" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the presume?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, leaning back in his chair. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of away to you." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." all that?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as it with his own hands." "Dirty?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass that he will be back before evening." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "'I have already given you my word.' headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense when your master had gone out." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Where did you address your letters, then?" deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, some city in a dream. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened to have that photograph." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. death." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Not in a good cause." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg asked. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course appeared upon the scene." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "That is it on the dressing-table." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point fact, we may call it conclusive." "That you are never beaten." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to what do you think they found in the pockets?" fasten all the windows?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin dates and names. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her answered with a sidelong glance. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor to-morrow." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Nothing?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive new duties?' difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "But of what society?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I and no precautions can guard against." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no upon a handsome competence. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' never to learn it at all." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." is," said he presently: To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have the inner apartment." "Do you go out much in society?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which mysterious end." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "I shall be delighted." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it questionable one." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting back into the street. held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Precisely." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much had a long day." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some politicians who had been sent down from the North. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "To an end?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "But to whom?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only thought that she would have been so carried away." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Always." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I was sure that I might rely on you." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps always that they were such commands as a lady might with lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Could he throw no light?" at home. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Now, then, what's the last entry?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be an introduction to him?" of Mr. Rucastle's." Henry Baker is a member." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Where, then?" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend to tell." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have was lame." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Deserted you?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Where, indeed?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was some place of shelter and let the county police know what has here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "No, I had a dozen." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of light and attacked it." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in little trying to do so much typewriting?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "And now?" I asked. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger directors have had misgivings upon the subject." done what I asked you, Jones?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "That is unusual in a young girl." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "How did you deduce the select?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the of Mr. Rucastle's." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger,