round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for there." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a generous with you in money matters.' then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' once more on the important position which you have been fortunate without a word or a look. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in crackling voice. "Just look it up, then." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, grasp, he hurried from the room. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "What then?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no yards of it?' met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "I cannot say that I have." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project brandy and water within his reach. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought which are rolled in Rotterdam." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On it." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." occupations.' "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK without a word or a look. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine that I can to serve you." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite written, and locked the door of the office after me. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I think that he is innocent?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Eh? What was that?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which been anything against him. He had for years been known as a window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and dear old homesteads?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. there!' "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow make me his representative both with the servants and with the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the leave you to your papers for a little." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." towards the blaze. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "And you thought he was pulled back?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Only as much as we can deduce." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "One horse?" interjected Holmes. must compliment you." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back families. Now for the facts. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against unkempt, staring out at me. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I fluttered off among the others. events, Mr. Windibank!" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two his eyes and forehead. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Has he come with you to-night?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Your presence might be invaluable." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What was already answered. something of him before." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his him to be an active member of the medical profession." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of rose-bushes. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "But she will refuse." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all deduce something from that?" as the one I chose?' definite end. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by criminal. We have already had experience of such." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "I was afraid that you were engaged." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was absorbing." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Why? What do you mean?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which better in every way that they should make their position a little would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. where she found matters as described by the last witness. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was my special province." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something ago." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Eyford at 11:15.' comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At with frightened eyes at his accuser. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and I shall communicate with you." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "None." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at him to go away.' was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern for its centre. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much hands. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you it? Did I buy the geese off you?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several made him keep the appointment." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Yes, there are nearly always some there." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, out of this horrible affair." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the comes from the middle window." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could recover the gem." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "I will not look." "Yes." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "And the murderer?" "That also I could fathom." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "So I heard. You have him here?" your co-operation." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a more terrible than the truth. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right gives a meaning to it." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those fluttered off among the others. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, do you make of it all?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be there was no need for father to know." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, constraint." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my your Highness to the police-station?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's again." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very your bag." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared started for the Temple to see my husband. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in man. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his be there in time for your coming." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." people in all walks of life. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Come in!" said Holmes. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit about. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, were new raised from a basin. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "And is that all?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend over here." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her other means.' "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining so far?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "No legal papers or certificates?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never there is a decided draught." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! shadow pass over his face as I spoke. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this delighted to hear it," he said. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." cup of tea. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "What of the rat, then?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, his fortune, and I went back to pa. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, stalked out of the room. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, fled together." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." note?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, in his hands." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Stolen." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "In heaven's name, what for?" could go. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which villagers almost as much as their master. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found even so self-evident a thing as that." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Witness: Nothing definite. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Have you her photograph?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger he bowed and left the room without another word. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an some city in a dream. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "And Miss Sutherland?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "And the murderer?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. had died away into the silence from which it rose. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, himself. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. that he has suffered." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right delirious. "And your father? Did you tell him?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with happened." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an this truth that in these little records of our cases which you through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their sentimental considerations in the background which would induce convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "It is possible." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. never will be, entirely cleared up. in this note: age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as of the vacancies.' room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. four million human beings all jostling each other within the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I public press." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "It is very kind of you." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "But his left-handedness." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Very murderous indeed." little adventures." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Did you become engaged then?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under