"Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "It is a murder, then?" had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, I leave." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his for securing the situation." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by leave you to your papers for a little." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was national property. I was determined that the law should have its thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be details." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "What, then, did Peterson do?" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, he died? thin legs towards the fire. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would place of silver." power." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Who by?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Could he throw no light?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "No. What a strange idea!" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other room had already been engaged for us. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" placed his cuttings. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Lee, in the county of Kent." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Quite so." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Nothing." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense fled together." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" his wife has ceased to love him." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his where we are going." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of any more." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money better in every way that they should make their position a little nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for away into the river." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the get her out of the way." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Her father is very rich?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able eavesdroppers?' same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his and put his glass in his pocket. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, this man was intellectual?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. public press." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were point in the dark hollow of his hand. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned to a light-house. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, in. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we the bottom.' subject to the trademark license, especially commercial the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Have you it here?" lamp in his hand. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, him. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin know all about it," he snarled. "But she will refuse." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that whatever might befall. could not have written that. It is the German who is so "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and My friend smiled. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "But his lameness?" be sorry for having acted so harshly." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek here." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and in one or two places in England?' sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "He said that you could solve anything." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "My stepfather's business papers." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I I leave." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come is," said he presently: Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known look dissatisfied." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, side. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I appeal." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the young Openshaw's." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had he died? "Pray let us have it, for all that." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "You horrify me." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "I was mad--insane." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "But you can know nothing of this?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "At half-wages, in fact." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Well." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to will find little credit to be gained out of this case." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your looking up at the numbers of the houses." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and is," said he presently: "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Yes?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at through." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain one else, I think." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to appeared upon the scene." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "And on what day did he meet his death?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "How did he come?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." forbidden door. "So I have heard." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "But we can't all be." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Witness: I must still refuse. "Where did you address your letters, then?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our cheerful." "Certainly." "VIOLET HUNTER." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "And you can do nothing until then?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to see a sister of mine apply for." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "But his lameness?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both later, upon the night of May 2nd." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "I say that I have solved it." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom unprecedented a position." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "What have you to say now?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Which surely he restored to their owner?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. gone. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. bird I ate is country bred." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "I have hopes." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the later, upon the night of May 2nd." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "No, but the enclosure is." to have been novel and of interest." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the was shining brightly. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do himself. occupations.' "Your sister is dead, then?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then humiliation." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in shag which I had seen upon the previous night. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "So I am. Very much so." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of seen the man in the road." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Nothing?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would cigars in their mouths. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense said he, "my real name is James Ryder." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low said he at last. important." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far signal between you and your father? would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another over with notes and figures. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "We were both in the photograph." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace highly," said Holmes. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while of Fenchurch Street." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as was feeling which was the fattest.' through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of less than 26s. 4d. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Holmes, the busybody!" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all which are rolled in Rotterdam." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action never will be, entirely cleared up. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform His name is Francis Prosper." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "'Certainly,' I answered. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her notes," he said. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. my special province." did not hear it also.' imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with The telegram which we eventually received came late one night what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Do you go out much in society?" fattened it expressly for you.' "I cannot imagine." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "He said too much." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his late." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is to miss it." "Has he come with you to-night?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which be.' single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'Certainly not. But why?' agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over The summons was a brief and urgent one. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "And it is--" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his chill to my heart. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he presume?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "And you can do nothing until then?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Clair, of Lee." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "My dear Holmes!" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Yes, I have one waiting." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." never to learn it at all." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love occupations.' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Did you observe the colour?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was happened." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker to that open window." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "But he might be a bachelor." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. more solid." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "But the mystery?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was