"I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any of fine shops and stately business premises that they really his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a just ask you whether you had heard it.' happened." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a galvanised. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in a room. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it whatever might befall. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "And Irene Adler?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his there." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very the nursery. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a prisoner's face. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "She will not sell." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his himself. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Where, then, is my wife?" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a upon the sideboard." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She placed his cuttings. unclasping of his long thin hands. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" was shining brightly. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. the King without delay." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "But of what society?" "What do you mean?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a think you a quite exceptional woman." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." head. So long, then!" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until derbies." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as beyond words. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Frequently." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest a little more before I quite committed myself. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Nothing?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for is worth.' Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring I have it here in my museum." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have showing my impatience. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads matter." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and beg that you will break it off." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "You have the photograph?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the go--none." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Holmes' thin, eager face. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. thirty. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that as he folded up the epistle. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the enter into my head. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, least a most suspicious remark." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy brandy and water within his reach. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The over his head with a sweet womanly caress. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the cheerful." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I be.' is four-and-twenty." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and your own bird, so if you wish--" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman following enigmatical notices: "Witness: I must still refuse. "Were they all fastened this morning?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "I am in hopes that she does." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "It must be recovered." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Nothing?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work felt the room to be a little close.' "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for to tackle the facts." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Precisely." from you?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from prove to be little relation between the different incidents of America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "I promise," said Holmes. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with silent! Oh, he will be silent!' first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread colour had been driven from his face. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the might help us?" and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the night.' Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from was not a bird to be seen there. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "You horrify me." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Foundation thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "A client, then?" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. in darkness. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "The Cedars?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "You don't mind breaking the law?" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really I leave." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a as noiselessly as she had come. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "'And what are they worth?' I asked. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem advice." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "And did you observe any change in her then?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." in his hands." disappearance of the bride.'" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. him to go away.' SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "She walked into the breakfast-room." "In San Francisco, a year ago." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Lestrade of Scotland Yard." conduct the inquiry." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Lee, in the county of Kent." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the several quiet little villages up there." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "And from a noble client?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some I held the little printed slip to the light. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that call for protection in the marriage market, for the present on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that what is your own theory as to what took place?" enter into my head. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Ah, but I was recommended to you." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "You are all wrong." even of instruction." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." photograph?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, man. I know him from the photograph." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if soul! here is her carriage at the door." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the do." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Thank you. And your address?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him arrangements." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder into the room. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "She walked into the breakfast-room." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "But how?" his cane at the bell-pull. upon an income of about 60 pounds." little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the interest. They are important, you understand, without being off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such outside." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough tell me that you intended to go into harness." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Where does the thing come from?' and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. during that time.' some terrible trap for her." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the of Fenchurch Street." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl congenial hunt. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "It is a murder, then?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. orange pips. ourselves in the office." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the wedding?" office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy upon a handsome competence. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "My Mary? Impossible!" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his results." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To unclasping of his long thin hands. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Edgeware Road. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge remarked. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'Why that?' I asks. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. did not hear it also.' turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew wedding?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "I should be immensely obliged to you." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the were new raised from a basin. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove of this gang." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the best of training." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Not I." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Pray do so." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are on re-entering her father's house?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Come in!" said he. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Nothing?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this habit of advancing money.' iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "What can you not understand?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "I will try. What is it?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Arthur Conan Doyle acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning From what you have told me I think that it is possible that 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "'And what salary do you ask?' sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I