matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in never came back." III. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Never." Stoke Moran." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it troubles have been weighing upon his mind. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable hand, madam?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We there when the Rucastles went away." sake, don't!" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Perhaps I have." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Never to return." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, kindly on the shoulder. telegram would bring me down to your help." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client him." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Do you receive much company?" he asked. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my speckled band?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I hour." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship yourselves in at night?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's mystery." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in shadow pass over his face as I spoke. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want pictures, libraries, or plate. him!" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant business." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of troubles have been weighing upon his mind. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so London for the present?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the armchair which I pushed forward for him. shoulder. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "I don't say that. Perhaps." amused." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds nights." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "When did she vanish, then?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "And is that all?" "Where, then, is my wife?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand guilty one." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Pray do so." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked must be when I saw the door open.' "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began neither fascinating nor artistic." coat-tails." notes," he said. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "You are all wrong." later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "I have my revolver," said I. "What, then, did Peterson do?" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "My dear Holmes!" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should over with notes and figures. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "That's no good." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him III. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. few hundred pounds.' These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "To an English lawyer named Norton." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which fasten all the windows?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "By no means." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great points to suicide?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "What!" he roared. said Mr. Holder. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "No." neither fascinating nor artistic." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Sutherland?" been with you?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to individual and becomes the badge of a society." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a instituted." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step one's self under obligations.' mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own bedroom door." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into good-night and bustled off upon her way. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I was feeling which was the fattest.' time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a hands. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Yes, it would be as well." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I hard-headed British jury." "And why?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the extraordinary contortions. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian key of the affair now." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which then?" mysterious business." the salesman. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "'Quite sure, dad.' would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "But to whom?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Stolen." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. not, dad?" she asked. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "One horse?" interjected Holmes. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies man. I know him from the photograph." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at case-book, which he consulted. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the stable lane now." my room." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said comes from the middle window." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "It is possible." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the always that they were such commands as a lady might with in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. and the whole place is in a blaze." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal sentimental considerations in the background which would induce suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Yes?" lectures into a series of tales." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from peculiar to him. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing because she had spent so short a time in this country that she description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered outside. in this way: have been better. It is all right." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through down. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "If so, much may have happened between." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "No legal papers or certificates?" grasp, he hurried from the room. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that to arrive at through this?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but to take care of herself." Sutherland?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Was he the only applicant?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two you understand?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "I have come for advice." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can stood on the top of it. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his 'I should be able to look after that for you.' gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited overpowering excitement and concern. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "I have solved it." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "I came to find a friend." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "The knees of his trousers." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Yes, he did." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "I shall most certainly do so." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon fuss that is made over them." "And why in hopes?" standing smiling on the door-step. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "But of what society?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I have hopes." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the tell him that I know him to be innocent." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double ready to-morrow?' Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose I nodded again. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Leadenhall Street--and--" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, laugh and put his lips to my ear. official police." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second him nearly every evening." strong reason behind." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." depend upon your compliance." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he it." the night.' chance." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the one of them." yards of it?' an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into to some other building. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the my special province." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, washing it down with a long draught of water. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "But to whom?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem had this final quarrel? "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "The rest you will leave in our hands." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. who was a member of your goose club." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the whereabouts. shall use the carriage to-night." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds awaited us upon the table. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking