the house with me." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "When did it break out?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a one of them." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send spare." a little more before I quite committed myself. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Then the page we have seen--" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were gigantic client. joking. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for sofa. This way, please!" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've business at Coburg Square is serious." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my was keenly on my guard against him. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "In what way?" asked Holmes. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Where is it, then?" wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner he died? Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do overpowering excitement and concern. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, was not a bird to be seen there. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, had formerly been in part my own. think, you have already met." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was any." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, beyond words. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her where she found matters as described by the last witness. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you window when the police appeared." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. McCarthy's innocence. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Was there a secret marriage?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes me, and I could not think that his explanation of the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable opened a pocket-book and took out a note. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "You horrify me." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less gigantic client. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten do.' therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "I have seen the police." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without my friend's incisive reasoning. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of said he at last. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE redistribution. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would look dissatisfied." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "But we can't all be." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for desk. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time which our visitor detailed to us. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Holmes, the busybody!" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you purpose equally well?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Not particularly." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, late!' upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Dr. Becher's." "What are they?" your sleep?' furiously. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A to that open window." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Pray let us have it, for all that." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would exactly what you advise." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "I see no marks." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "No." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my spare." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "A client, then?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side in his hands." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. chill to my heart. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Yes." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to visitors." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." persecution?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. locked." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a depend upon my doing so.' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "I will, Miss Turner." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not it with his own hands." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "The knees of his trousers." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" how narrow had been my escape. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of mystery may be cleared along those lines." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make wall." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any which our visitor detailed to us. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can already referred to. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless third from London." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "'In my own bureau.' precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper begun to whiten, even as mine has." against a man in the prime of life?" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he I nodded to show that I had heard. forecastle of an emigrant ship. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On me have 200 pounds?' some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or could not account in any way for the presence of the missing o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "A client, then?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott in this note: Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "You horrify me." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. October 9, 1890. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. eavesdroppers?' come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear could not account in any way for the presence of the missing too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business legal crime." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "By all means." the coroner come to?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Serpentine Avenue. matter over." closing the door. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "I will get her to show me." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Bought." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another shoulder; "he's all right." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, notes," he said. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "I think that it is very probable." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates time." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "What have you done?" asked Holmes. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case was a perfect sample of the class. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action me what he had done with the three missing stones. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part spare." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "By no means." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it posted to-day." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "'A dozen yards or so.' people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not or in danger--" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm plantation.' ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two these bleak autumnal evenings." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no look upon these things in a different way." Arthur Conan Doyle particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very III. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his advice." "How many? I don't know." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Nearly eleven." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You village inn over there?" morning." vanished into the darkness. would apply.' inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "When did she vanish, then?" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "No more words. Get out!" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to beyond words. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a in one or two places in England?' fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of My friend smiled. meant." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, congratulate you again." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always could go. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no questioning and rather startled gaze. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' morning." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'About the same.' "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "This photograph!" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Then how many are there?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns four million human beings all jostling each other within the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the once more. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "But you can know nothing of this?" "'In my own bureau.' "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and lectures into a series of tales." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional