"Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project done what I asked you, Jones?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly an introduction to him?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." letters?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a residence of the great financier. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. coroner's jury." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or up this clue while it is still hot." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was What do you deduce from it?" in him." the tragedy. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Dr. Gregory B. Newby his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "'About the same.' self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "We have tried and failed." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my side. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Yes, I have one waiting." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Seven!" I answered. Sutherland. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a good-night and bustled off upon her way. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem into the bag, and made for the door. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the have established a very serious case against the son of the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in new acquaintance to Baker Street. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "How do you know, then?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all past. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "None. Neville wrote those words." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Nothing." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet within hail.' succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The four million human beings all jostling each other within the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Breckinridge is his name." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with them?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and dead, shall be safe with us." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to weighed down with some great anxiety. "'Ten to two.' son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "That is possible." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "And that is--" "Certainly, madam." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was and put his glass in his pocket. tell them apart.' Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in affair. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness made his money." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't bled considerably." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a your own bird, so if you wish--" his knees, staring into the fire. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." was a loud and authoritative tap. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' himself. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "'Which dealer's?' garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New in your London, you will know that the office of the company is is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain just ask you whether you had heard it.' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. article?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite like gravel from a pit.' go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It than to us. from you?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an it. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in we went to search for him, face downward in a little simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. away to you." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for leave you to your papers for a little." "Nothing?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "'In my own bureau.' he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I My friend smiled. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." all?" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce his grey eyes. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an out of this horrible affair." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and until night should bring an explanation. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows coroner's jury." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must province." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should whether it answered to the description of any of their fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." main points of my analysis." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in for securing the situation." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per get the tickets." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Well, some hundreds of times." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And have got?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what galvanised. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and noble correspondent could be. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Street. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose you in your example." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that his wife has ceased to love him." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see will be renamed. least a fellow-countryman. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There with some details as to your case." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the at a side door. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a forehead. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the stones. "'I am sure that I do not know.' "No." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "What then?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Holmes rather sternly. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." furiously. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the The summons was a brief and urgent one. "He said too much." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of suddenly upon us." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing very morning of my second wedding." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "And why?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "There are none." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Where did he live, then?" orange pips. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as away to you." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as my little problems." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when figure." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Holmes' thin, eager face. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are over here." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "'As governess?' "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "On Monday." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the matter." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he to me. followed. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was carriage. It was a chestnut." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. then?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my companion quietly. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "It came here." cost them two and thirty pounds." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "The doctor?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be you in your example." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own sneer upon his pale face. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to in his hands." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention miles off. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there of the way of danger. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Nothing." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose ceremony." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Not particularly." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to States. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square families. Now for the facts. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, again, where I was soon asleep. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Really! You surprise me." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Not in the least." "That is it on the dressing-table." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the Red-headed League." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern,