beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Pray continue your narrative." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. your room." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime I nodded again. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or way: one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered this truth that in these little records of our cases which you breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the inquest, and which are worth considering." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "'No, I know no one in these parts.' sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had little trying to do so much typewriting?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "I have hopes." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "And why?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" peculiar to him. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell your billet.' "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "You will not go there first?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "But the mystery?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very heavy and sharp instrument." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited and that he would see to anything that turned up. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the when your master had gone out." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I there is a decided draught." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO several quiet little villages up there." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the speckled band?" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly think that any burglar could have done. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his unkempt, staring out at me. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Well, but China?" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "No more words. Get out!" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine points to suicide?" before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and sofa. This way, please!" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my south, for the country is more deserted there." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and the night.' be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "In which, sir?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, returning from some small jollification and was making his way almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, the dangers which encompass me." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' chambers. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. matters immensely." "So I have heard." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "The knees of his trousers." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin forbidden door. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you drove away. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon to talk it over. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "I should be immensely obliged to you." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having once more to my work. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "You are all wrong." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So garden below. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of ashen face. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length said he. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I in the hope of finding them." purpose of examination. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "It came here." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down I nodded again. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as case-book, which he consulted. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "What have you to say now?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone your room." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "That is unusual in a young girl." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "My dear Holmes!" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his which I could not give. He asked for Alice. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that footfalls from the street. "No bad?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Dirty?" you give your casting vote to?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." his cane at the bell-pull. Count Von Kramm." "Could he throw no light?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the Assizes." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So upon an income of about 60 pounds." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Does that suggest anything?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." your bag." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "The vanishing of the lady." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met the salesman. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and sufficient punishment." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, disappearance of the bride.'" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the married her." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from the house with me." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, the station." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "And what then?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was other lovers by making love himself." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I that "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Two days later this same performance was gone through under was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "So I have heard." heavily into it. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "That is also quite modern," said the lady. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "I have solved it." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set ago." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, new duties?' "Proceed, then." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of business came to an end." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "And when will you call?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal recover the gem." and inquire as to the address." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but upon the sideboard." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Witness: I must still refuse. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she said he. "Not in the least." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have made his money." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the trifles." to Leatherhead. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly respectable self." it with his own hands." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of remarked. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a companion. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of chance." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is 'please.'" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless always that they were such commands as a lady might with seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform away into the river." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Imitated." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a his forehead." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Well?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy until night should bring an explanation. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "You have the photograph?" should be taken.' what these perils are?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis secret." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about laugh and put his lips to my ear. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "My dear Holmes!" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project the stable lane now." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the better in every way that they should make their position a little the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we 1.E.9. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Stoke Moran." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it lumber-room." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately unclasping of his long thin hands. retorted upon me, and I on you." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. and your relations to her." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. leaning back in his chair. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR know that the truth is known." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Watson," he said cordially. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door