the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Very much so." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a bears upon the case?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "I have my revolver," said I. the bed, and you in that chair." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is was a perfect sample of the class. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Mrs. Toller serenely. formed some opinion?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Mrs. Toller serenely. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Pray be precise as to details," said he. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders useful material for showing traces. The double line a little comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. been with you?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "We were both in the photograph." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling persecution?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I house for five minutes.' thin legs towards the fire. "I fear not." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been kindly on the shoulder. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "I assure you that I am in your hands." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is security.' "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "You saw the ventilator, too?" outside." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the washing it down with a long draught of water. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Was the window open?" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us records." "No, my brougham is waiting." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "But what will you do?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was unkempt, staring out at me. approach us with offers to donate. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" visitors." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. said I. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then my friend's incisive reasoning. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the as yours." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both front of the hall door has given its name to the place. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "His face fell immediately. little trying to do so much typewriting?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To what is your own theory as to what took place?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before before, for it was considerably after midnight. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest I took the paper from him and read as follows: Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Where is it, then?" away to you." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he that I am arrested." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "The King of Scandinavia." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "When did it break out?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the case-book, which he consulted. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" do.' served to weaken the effect. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "How many? I don't know." astonishment. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "To an end?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "And how did he make his money?" my friend's incisive reasoning. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then burst out into a roar of laughter. "I cannot imagine." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I upon a handsome competence. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Why serious?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur country, and eventually married, without anyone having a metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "'Then let me do so?' "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." outsides of the windows. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "No, I think that I'll take it." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner felt?" invisible to me," I remarked. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, chambers. "'And what salary do you ask?' have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "'Yes, I promise.' His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Where to?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable manager. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I cannot imagine." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "ARAT," I read. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! your troubles." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Was the window open?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Bought." have not had my rubber." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I have solved it." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "I was mad--insane." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close wedding?" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my nonsense.' Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander at my own good fortune. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to horse could go." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Was she in good spirits?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Never to return." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so husband's writing, madam." "I am in hopes that she does." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' which we had just quitted. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "By train from Waterloo." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Her father is very rich?" "What of the rat, then?" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "No, thank goodness, she did not." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "But your client--" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do the morning and make my own way in the world.' family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a upon an income of about 60 pounds." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his her also." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if outside. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is all-comprehensive glances. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the breakfast?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a the Red-headed League." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but again, where I was soon asleep. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know I held the little printed slip to the light. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." a little more before I quite committed myself. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is enter Dr. Roylott's room." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it as he remarks, very much against the son." "On Monday." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "At what time?" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "What, then, did Peterson do?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your even of instruction." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "What I expected to see." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that most important business. It is probable that he will be away all from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a details." held up the lantern and gazed about him. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend appointment with me for six o'clock?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very his eyes and forehead. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by During two years I have had three consultations and one small should be so warm over such a trifle." cost them two and thirty pounds." II. that I may have something better before very many minutes are Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with discontent upon his features. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Yes. He waved his hands." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden your bag." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "I shall most certainly do so." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for any." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily detective. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "I have seen the police." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. presume?" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "But his lameness?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the to-night?' object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a entirely devoid of interest." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy only touch the interest." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Never to return." written, and locked the door of the office after me. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Why serious?" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed British peeress.'" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "You are hungry," I remarked. "But who is he?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to letters?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "'Yes, sir.' the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman that he has suffered." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts said I. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the know what is wrong with it.' after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He down from London to inquire more deeply into it." when you have done it." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and introspective fashion. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and locked." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Then, as to money?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "And from a noble client?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. with some details as to your case." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in for its centre. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their said I. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have the inquest, and which are worth considering." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales straightened it out again. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Where is it, then?" "I say that I have solved it." in my life." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the station." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out hardly wander." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "About a month then." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much tension within him. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "In heaven's name, what for?" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but