"Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in the bed, and you in that chair." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a wedding?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission helping a boy to put up the shutters. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in point our research must commence, and we will begin it by looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought events than those which have happened in my own family." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me evidence," I remarked. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, astonishment. asked. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "It is half-past ten now." with frightened eyes at his accuser. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "What will you say?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "You will not go there first?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "'You cannot say what it was?' moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "And now?" I asked. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be she used." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "It is possible." "Not particularly." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "My opinion is in no way altered." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "And it is--" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "'Yes, sir.' round and wave him away like that.' standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird six. Come in!" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "That is unusual in a young girl." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less The events in question occurred in the early days of my better in every way that they should make their position a little the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining to Leatherhead. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Deserted you?" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Was she in good spirits?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "I answered that I had not. of them has the shutters up.' dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Yes." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Can I be of assistance?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact it." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "It came here." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that papers." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Then how many are there?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very like that before?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "What!" he roared. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Munro.' almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, cause to be." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. the best of training." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "I have hopes." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the few hundred pounds.' the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "At what time?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Yes." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' writing, and yet I know it well." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Her father is very rich?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Just look it up, then." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return ordinary clothes on?" despaired of." This is what he says: "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not there has been an enclosure here!" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. did not hear it also.' fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of business in the City. She little knew what. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "I assure you that I am in your hands." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her seen the man in the road." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "What can it mean?" I gasped. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say indeed happy." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "ARAT," I read. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Nothing." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her works. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass enter Dr. Roylott's room." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "An enemy?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." washing it down with a long draught of water. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of roused himself from his reverie. "How about poison?" "And help." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey success. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, to have that photograph." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "It certainly sounds feasible." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this was it brought him the coronet? waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, disturbance in my wife." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all important." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. London for the present?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a tightly behind him. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "When did it break out?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "None." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, chair. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. fact, we may call it conclusive." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret friend's singular character. "We must have a cab." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down with you alone." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "But how?" "Yes." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Yes." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a whether it answered to the description of any of their be sorry for having acted so harshly." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Yes." conclusions. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. of them has the shutters up.' backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer quickly through a disagreeable task. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Yes." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. my former friend and companion. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Witness: It was. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he round with crates and massive boxes. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable status with the IRS. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "I say that I have solved it." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his south, for the country is more deserted there." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys room?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was would then never go into court at all." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a congenial hunt. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "'Yes, I promise.' the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check cigars in the box." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face October 9, 1890. and it need not interfere very much with one's other It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "One of his hands." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend bell. Holmes whistled. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future himself to hunt down. "What then?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" them?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to bird of prey. locked. "Certainly, madam." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, of it with the greatest attention. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a his eyes and forehead. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Of Friday, June 19th." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Lee, in the county of Kent." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." horse could go." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of likely to be some crony of the landlady's." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my colour had been driven from his face. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had fatally injured? their singular warning or token before them when starting upon of your young ladies.' received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by papers must be those that are destroyed.' may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, be best to do. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He