foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Precisely." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, October 9, 1890. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "I beg pardon." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward never to learn it at all." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "But to whom?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' paper in the air. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls bonnet, and went out." "On your arm?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in down. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much stepfather?" a suggestive one." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. the ceiling. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the think you a quite exceptional woman." "I will not look." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "We were both in the photograph." "And is that all?" convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since during which he might have communicated with his friend the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "In what way?" asked Holmes. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "And for present expenses?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and him and tried to hold him back. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached chemical work which was so dear to him. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for should be so warm over such a trifle." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood he. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon The events in question occurred in the early days of my man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you him and tried to hold him back. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as vault. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the you in yours." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and your only hope of safety." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Nearly eleven." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in very old mansion. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Texas, I think." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "What can it mean?" I gasped. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All young Openshaw's." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "No good news?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the asked with his eyes open. "Have you it here?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Can I be of assistance?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "And now?" I asked. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Holmes' room. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "An accident, I presume?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "'You cannot say what it was?' for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Gutenberg-tm License. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried ran thus: week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the himself to hunt down. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain awaited us upon the table. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a has little to do with my story." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Where, then, is my wife?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy his fortune, and I went back to pa. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he since then to throw any light upon what became of him." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the general public were present, then?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "No." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Witness: I must still refuse. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might have not had my rubber." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. you." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "'Ten to two.' just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive tear off another piece?' me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to some place of shelter and let the county police know what has them?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I did not hear it also.' we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "'Yes, sir.' roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey It may be so in this case, also." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Just look it up, then." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "At the wedding breakfast." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with it." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the deduce something from that?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do of this gang." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of delighted to hear it," he said. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the bearing upon the case." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in writing, and yet I know it well." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing to some other building. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." such attractions and accomplishments?' is acting for the best. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he I. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the conceal it?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. disturbance in my wife." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought south, for the country is more deserted there." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But that he will be back before evening." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." it. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion You can understand that this register and diary may implicate banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "You'll never persuade me to believe that." skylight. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And that I can to serve you." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Holmes' thin, eager face. "'I am sure that I do not know.' poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Heh?' "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. foresight and the moral retrogression?" happened." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Witness: I must still refuse. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "I never have." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "And you thought he was pulled back?" his eyes and forehead. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "What have you to say now?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "'Yes.' the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" I approached. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "This photograph!" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Why did you pick him?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Sutherland. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "What have you done?" asked Holmes. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "And that is--" which are rolled in Rotterdam." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he touch that coronet?' matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was relief. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband present." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the already been minutely examined." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Whose house is it?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "No." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday too. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "It is solved." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where the one as in the other." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the station." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue whole matter to your consideration." "You forget that I know nothing about it." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "No." a monotonous occupation." "And why?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end my former friend and companion. one of the states of the Union." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and forecastle of an emigrant ship. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "No, I think that I'll take it." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "I have come for advice." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "And the cigar-holder?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "I will, Miss Turner." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be peculiar to him. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, or in danger--" forebodings. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "I will, Miss Turner." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed disappearance of the bride.'" "And I." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the politicians who had been sent down from the North. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "No. His orders were to stay in the house." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit been." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "It may not come to that," said Holmes. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his I approached. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "The decline of his fortunes, then?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the salesman. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, gone before you can get him to hospital." your bag." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At jewels which you have stolen?' felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Stolen, then." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." his cane at the bell-pull. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the at my own good fortune. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this learned something! Where are the gems?" the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now