"God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my gentleman's clothes. village inn over there?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she guilty one." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just nothing of it?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "It is to him that this trophy belongs." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with You can understand that this register and diary may implicate room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "My opinion is in no way altered." neither fascinating nor artistic." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the my little problems." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done this man was intellectual?" "Never." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not to miss it." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates his wife has ceased to love him." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the I think that I could be of assistance to you." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "No, I am descending." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must beyond words. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "I came to find a friend." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "I am all attention, madam." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight ago." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and and the whole place is in a blaze." the morning and make my own way in the world.' With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. following enigmatical notices: Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a politicians who had been sent down from the North. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me she used." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try of your young ladies.' was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the salesman. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out down from London to inquire more deeply into it." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and made his money." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity good for you to do.' "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He from the brougham. gentleman's clothes. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low had no one to advise her at such a crisis." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Then how many are there?" crowd. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the inner apartment." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to o'clock is it?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "You are certainly joking, Holmes." little adventures." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the certainly do as you advise." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in himself to hunt down. depend upon my doing so.' giving me time to thank him. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I and all of them with the keenest interest. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in is four-and-twenty." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when strength." to a light-house. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? other lovers by making love himself." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "You did not overhear what they said?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots together. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this your sleep?' and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." bearing upon the case." "I fear not." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally system of imprisonment?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. on in his house." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a coroner's jury." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and into her hand at the door and which lured her within their them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was the bottom.' quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which paper in the air. maiden herself was most instructive." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Well?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Who by?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the coronet in his hands?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell congratulate you again." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, something of him before." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of him!" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "No. What a strange idea!" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "I will do it." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall suspect him." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, something of him before." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez own family. been able to understand it, in a very few words. he died? "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "What then?" "Precisely so. But how--" "What office?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which been lifted and conveyed somewhere." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Never to return." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are absorbing." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the learned something! Where are the gems?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Where does the thing come from?' deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his redistribution. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered the best of training." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every coroner's jury." disappearance of the bride.'" golden eyeglasses. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may any more." note?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his straighten it?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and humiliation." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain new duties?' signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Then how many are there?" the roots. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from closely." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third such person." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have simple cases which are so extremely difficult." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the just called myself is not exactly my own." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they you?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "'I am sure if I had known--' the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If begun to whiten, even as mine has." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic fishes. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not enough to aid us in our search." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through rooms." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ him to go away.' "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as o'clock is it?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "To an end?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "'What then?' I asked. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "And now?" I asked. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "'There is a drive, then?' "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. sufficient punishment." "And for present expenses?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "I was afraid that you were engaged." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Yes, all." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "They are typewritten," I remarked. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in me. You must get home instantly and act." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "It is solved." "None. Neville wrote those words." the dangers which encompass me." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "'Most admirably.' attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. amused." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to a room. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." minor matters until to-morrow." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I nonsense.'