"Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." has little to do with my story." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight quite distinctive." is so. I know all about McCarthy." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United neither fascinating nor artistic." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon it." name is different." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. Surrey." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after third from London." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "And who is her maid?" "'As governess?' "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "No, my brougham is waiting." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the be best to do. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Yes." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those carpenter." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "At half-wages, in fact." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "I will get her to show me." "If so, much may have happened between." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "So I heard. You have him here?" strong and stiff." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put just ask you whether you had heard it.' in. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not troubles have been weighing upon his mind. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand the inquest, and which are worth considering." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a bore every mark of being an average commonplace British situation." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to a good hundred miles off by now." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set carriage. It was a chestnut." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well interest. They are important, you understand, without being "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Very truly yours, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Game for a morning drive?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable letters?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had too. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the been deceived." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came matter." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the who was a member of your goose club." tied." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical union?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" skylight. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Yes, from Horsham." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and together. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "We were both in the photograph." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Ha! you find it so?" electronic works as he folded up the epistle. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "May I see it?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill must be when I saw the door open.' "Not I." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I been able to understand it, in a very few words. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Stolen." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "And leave your case unfinished?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "But of what society?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of enter Dr. Roylott's room." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into them?" name is different." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "And when will you call?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about as he folded up the epistle. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector what is your own theory as to what took place?" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." interest. They are important, you understand, without being "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than before, for it was considerably after midnight. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "And how did you verify them?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "How do you know, then?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It laugh and put his lips to my ear. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "So I have heard." entirely devoid of interest." horse could go." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Could he throw no light?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of as yours." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is and wait." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Which are?" said he. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "And you don't know his address?" enough to aid us in our search." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "I cannot tell." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to silent! Oh, he will be silent!' was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over how narrow had been my escape. "In what way?" asked Holmes. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this suspect him." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it could go. you?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an for the market.' "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "What will you say?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Have you her photograph?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger some place of shelter and let the county police know what has and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & him to go away.' "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the how narrow had been my escape. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "I should wish to." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "'And the work?' "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "On Monday." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "It is very kind of you." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to purpose equally well?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given furiously. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body any more." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "'Most admirably.' happened." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "It is true that I have been generally successful." words came to my lips. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest the stones. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that and glanced through. astonishment. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "It is no ordinary one." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. recover the gem." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover you in your example." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector matter." "And how did you verify them?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul it." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an suddenly upon us." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "But how?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his fact, we may call it conclusive." "Precisely." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. never will be, entirely cleared up. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Count Von Kramm." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "No." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' miles off. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the conceal it?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become singular points about the case. What did the police think of the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "That also I could fathom." enter into my head. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled it." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Eyford." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and this as likely?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a weapon." "But I have heard all that you have heard." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Entirely." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment was it brought him the coronet? "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This shaken than I had ever seen him. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "She walked into the breakfast-room." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing and shall probably return to London by the evening train." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather mysterious end." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in she to prove their authenticity?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "The Cedars?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as there!' "Then the page we have seen--" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." that threaten you." make me his representative both with the servants and with the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "What can you not understand?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Gutenberg-tm License. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not beg that you will break it off." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the stones. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Never." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "I should like to see him very much." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a strange features which were associated with the two crimes which my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. in this note: coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and tail." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I answered that I had not. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, that?' credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the bachelor.' the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, directors, with the result that you have seen." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence detained." "I am following you closely," I answered. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in