"Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Here?" "I have seen the police." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the it." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. to miss it." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "I cannot think." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are cigars in their mouths. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, towards the blaze. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main then?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's and that he would see to anything that turned up. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington dear old homesteads?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now orange pips. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A outside." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to before, for it was considerably after midnight. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the coronet in his hands?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Absolutely none." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs in a friendly supper." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the have had none more fantastic than this." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to night.' said he. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "And on what day did he meet his death?" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the breakfast." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them speckled band?" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." new duties?' He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Quite so. She has her freedom." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. least a most suspicious remark." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being I have it here in my museum." "'Then let me do so?' no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what question," said Holmes, smiling. entirely lost his self-respect." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two and wait." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly wife's character?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing down in his armchair and closing his eyes. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "The murder was done with it." "Nothing." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "It is true that I have been generally successful." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Then I can wait in the next room." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered answer." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but girl said." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the when your master had gone out." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "The landlord of the Alpha." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." During two years I have had three consultations and one small of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Then I can wait in the next room." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Did your wife hear all this?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "What do you mean?" you." appeared upon the scene." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "And why in hopes?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "I will get her to show me." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to charge against him will break down." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "The murder was done with it." was not a bird to be seen there. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the when you have done it." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "And for present expenses?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his directors, with the result that you have seen." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "It is no ordinary one." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was leaning back in his chair. "On the contrary, this is the right side." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "The murder was done with it." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the salesman. his cane at the bell-pull. his huge brown hands. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. if she died from some sudden fright." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers brandy and water within his reach. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a present." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works this truth that in these little records of our cases which you hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Stolen, then." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "And how did you find out?" he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Not yet." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' James Windibank. Voilà tout!" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "A client, then?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and think, you have already met." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "On your arm?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that emerged. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the the south-west, I see." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of went to the Alpha were town bred." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of back into the street. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet long narrative. some terrible trap for her." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." know what is wrong with it.' There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "The landlord of the Alpha." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "What is it, then--a fire?" introspective fashion. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Of what day?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "He slept on the premises." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Farm upon the left." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Pray continue your narrative." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always cigars in the box." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of these bleak autumnal evenings." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "And how did you verify them?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "None." may have an influence upon European history." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and through." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap heavily into it. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of furiously. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land questioning and rather startled gaze. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The may have an influence upon European history." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her at once, for I have only half an hour." went to the Alpha were town bred." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an and it need not interfere very much with one's other the house with me." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some the side-table." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able ready to-morrow?' He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our straighten it?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled a room. paper in the air. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "I know where it is." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "The murder was done with it." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to nights." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, felt?" pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "The rest you will leave in our hands." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." you for a few hours?" stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that promised to bring home. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "It surprised me." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming there was no need for father to know." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Of what day?" are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote business." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Get out!" said he. had a long day." "Well?" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "So I am. Very much so." forbidden door. "Did you observe the colour?" What do you deduce from it?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his 1.E.9. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" said I. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "May I see it?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between breakfast?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "By no means." the window, rose as we entered. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought experiences." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that mysterious business." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "And what did you see?" carriage. It was a chestnut." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should back into the street. "We must have a cab." ventilator." must compliment you."