agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "How did that help you?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Do you receive much company?" he asked. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the sound at heart." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done main points of my analysis." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "But your client--" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "I have come for advice." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. tapping his fingers upon the table. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "What I expected to see." is worth.' "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Of what?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "What have you to say now?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the indeed happy." green of the new foliage. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Very well, sir. And this stone?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had silent! Oh, he will be silent!' been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very is worth.' however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his best detective that ever lived. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "And it is--" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Not him." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very think you a quite exceptional woman." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair cost them two and thirty pounds." the inquest, and which are worth considering." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Tired-looking or fresh?" obstinate." "Yes, it was twisted." and put his glass in his pocket. own family. noble correspondent could be. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at companion. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts you for a few hours?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. against a man in the prime of life?" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Well." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those main points of my analysis." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "But to whom?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We this unhappy family?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the was a perfect sample of the class. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was IS I leave." late!' "Quite so. She has her freedom." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Oh, yes, easily." "Thank you. And your address?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely of the one which your family is now devouring." "May I see it?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "That is unusual in a young girl." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. advice." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the we went to search for him, face downward in a little she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the business matters.' here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he affection." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be wife's character?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "It is very kind of you." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be hurried by. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "You have but to name it." "One of his hands." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, key of the affair now." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have existence." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Count Von Kramm." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop begin with, and I had not got mine yet." strong reason behind." upon a handsome competence. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "He is dead," cried several voices. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the your sleep?' The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my questioning and rather startled gaze. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Munro.' later, upon the night of May 2nd." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I certainly do as you advise." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite think that any burglar could have done. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to fait accompli?" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "It was an hour's good drive." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "No good news?" just called myself is not exactly my own." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very detained." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards silent! Oh, he will be silent!' admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton there is a decided draught." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just events than those which have happened in my own family." "What then?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. intrusion of other matters." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. in a very precise fashion." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "What I expected to see." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your newspaper selections." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once For additional contact information: Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was a very grave face. amused." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. tightly behind him. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This shadow pass over his face as I spoke. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "What! Had he lost his wife?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Very. But will he see it?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I closing the door. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the my room." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Eyford at 11:15.' "It is possible." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere delirious. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "What then?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all page at http://pglaf.org Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a window when the police appeared." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and laugh and put his lips to my ear. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do could gather together that I was able to avert another public the window, rose as we entered. of this gang." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It opportunities to fix the problem. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "I think that it is very probable." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "And the cigar-holder?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the side-table." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the into the bag, and made for the door. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of I leave." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I was afraid that you were engaged." "He said that you could solve anything." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the not, dad?" she asked. "Perhaps I have." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Well, some hundreds of times." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. meant it for the best. little adventures." "'Ample.' lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and foot. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. formed some opinion?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "It is half-past ten now." "That is easily got."