once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Quite so. She has her freedom." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so she has been waylaid. There has been no result." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Your sister is dead, then?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Two days later this same performance was gone through under the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, views." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to emerged. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." feature." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Thank you. Pray proceed." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw wedding?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I not, dad?" she asked. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his unprecedented a position." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "No, I am descending." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "My private note-paper." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue lamp. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. been." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going which I could not give. He asked for Alice. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in client, rising. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of key of the affair now." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small mystery!" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much to change my dress. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He character. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'I have heard so.' "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Yes, all." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "'You cannot say what it was?' they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Quite so. She has her freedom." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to down in his armchair and closing his eyes. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I call you and give you the chance." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and For additional contact information: future lives." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "You know me, then?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "And what then?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "I say it is." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. not within a twentieth part of the market price." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the general public were present, then?" "You horrify me." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, I shall communicate with you." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. followed. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'Stolen!' he cried. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Munro.' doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Your French gold?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love ventilator." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." your only hope of safety." said he. letters?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This it? Did I buy the geese off you?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts time." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Munro.' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Is he quiet?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I don't believe it." "I have my revolver," said I. chemical work which was so dear to him. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it do you make of it all?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm following enigmatical notices: there!' spare." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "You have carte blanche." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Just look it up, then." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been colour had been driven from his face. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our respectable self." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an triumphant cloud from his cigarette. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days you?' "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a more solid." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and to-night." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. matter over." "Stolen, then." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his detective. death." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Young McCarthy must be got off, however." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see power." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You was a lad." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the the nursery. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite thin legs towards the fire. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the there in twenty minutes." miles off. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Come in!" said Holmes. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." man. "Certainly." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings His smile broadened. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Pray continue your narrative." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present heavy and sharp instrument." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Dr. Becher's." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said of your young ladies.' whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my is now desirous of getting those letters back." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly so.' out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Serpentine Avenue. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very what these perils are?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a situation." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was prison!" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To hard-headed British jury." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. daring than any effort of the imagination." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "And I." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the putting in the horse. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. I nodded again. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect bearing upon the case." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do you." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "I have a cab outside." important." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and that Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across intrusion of other matters." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "How often?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case locked. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man was already answered. "And leave your case unfinished?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. at once, for I have only half an hour." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case But Holmes shook his head gravely. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Who by?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but taking in every detail of the apartment. "And sit in the dark?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "I promise," said Holmes. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, kindly on the shoulder. companion. crime. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "But we can't all be." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "The King of Scandinavia." "Perhaps we may make them less so." forehead. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over second window is the one that I jumped from." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Yes, it would be as well." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage written, and locked the door of the office after me. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with train.' that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as foot. generous with you in money matters.' impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Which are?" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Can I be of assistance?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the not fit the lock." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I not within a twentieth part of the market price." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Yes." fear." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any conduct the inquiry." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his own family. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been must be when I saw the door open.' Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came way in." matter over." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they handed it to him. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle disappearance of the bride.'" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it you want, then?' member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated