see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong the inner apartment." "Not in a good cause." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a said he. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into weapon." will take you up to see the machine.' ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the over here." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the presume?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "At the wedding breakfast." hour." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have followed. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "But of what society?" and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an one's self under obligations.' "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Can I be of assistance?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Sutherland?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make whole matter to your consideration." daring than any effort of the imagination." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. you in yours." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "And on what day did he meet his death?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "'How far from the body?' "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to his wife has ceased to love him." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "I cannot imagine." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some place of silver." round with crates and massive boxes. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." acquaintance?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "None." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these you." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the side-table." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "No, my brougham is waiting." strength." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the young Openshaw's." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "I cannot think." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, the little opening for the ventilator is." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "That is also quite modern," said the lady. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the standing smiling on the door-step. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when interests were the same as his." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He mysterious business." "But his left-handedness." "And now?" I asked. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him ashen face. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "By no means." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Then I am your man." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "'I am sure that I do not know.' figure." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself confronted him. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Nothing?" "He said too much." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, read over the extraordinary announcement. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who matter." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Of what day?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and of." "Nothing." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "What can you not understand?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of existence." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the and have this put in the evening papers." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "I cannot imagine." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right constraint." handed it to him. I nodded again. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this was lame." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have think that any burglar could have done. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric something of him before." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the situation." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "I have solved it." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "I say it is." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our them?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. way in everything. "Then what has happened to him?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I late." "The King of Scandinavia." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain of Fenchurch Street." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "And how did you find out?" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked my former friend and companion. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "VIOLET HUNTER." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. beg that you will break it off." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the with some details as to your case." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way his cane at the bell-pull. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the quick march!" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "'Certainly,' I answered. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur very peculiar words of the dying woman?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently used to be." hour?' street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Married! When?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I that I can to serve you." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. may have an influence upon European history." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Which are?" "Just look it up, then." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the always that they were such commands as a lady might with in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "It may not come to that," said Holmes. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in awaited us upon the table. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked bedroom door." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Never." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "What do you make of that, Watson?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning him nearly every evening." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he from the brougham. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was ceremony." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Watson," he said cordially. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "No bad?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Perfectly so." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the nice household for a young lady." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, carpenter." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "'A dozen yards or so.' '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his if only as a check to my own memory." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Literary Archive Foundation observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "He is still with you, I presume?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in once more. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "And Miss Sutherland?" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. married her." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or main points of my analysis." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. forehead. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to key turn in the lock." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into gentleman's clothes. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "It is solved." your sleep?' To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over o'clock is it?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came do.' was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that during which he might have communicated with his friend the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it floor. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the child." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case to change my dress. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." depend upon your compliance." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which following enigmatical notices: distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "And what then?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "But not more so than I to find you." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down