which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this fait accompli?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Pray continue your narrative." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action were unconscious?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Can I be of assistance?" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "None." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely an introduction to him?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "I would give my fortune to have them back." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa light and attacked it." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "One?" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you galvanised. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "If I can be of use." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped ceremony." could not have written that. It is the German who is so was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Doctor, of the paper and the date." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to your equipment. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I the child." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been have not had my rubber." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Where is it, then?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "My stepfather's business papers." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "But he might be a bachelor." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. the running down." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have power." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "No, thank goodness, she did not." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott empty. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise little adventures." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the meant it for the best. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. footfalls from the street. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from The telegram which we eventually received came late one night place no limit on the sum I may draw." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided crime." the inner apartment." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "What?" foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the you in yours." "It is half-past ten now." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Of Friday, June 19th." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope see me here to avoid scandal." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Holmes." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, held up the lantern and gazed about him. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Then I shall certainly come." "But of what society?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." it." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Yes, sir." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked clanging. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the was used.' "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It children over to America with him, so that I found myself without His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey to a more successful conclusion." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Did you become engaged then?" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him the morning and make my own way in the world.' heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. gigantic client. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "I don't say that. Perhaps." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in any little problem which you may submit to me." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Pray do so." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to redistribution. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "How did he come?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Stolen." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his generous with you in money matters.' "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running words came to my lips. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are were wasted." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I flock.' to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the learned something! Where are the gems?" has little to do with my story." Again Holmes raved in the air. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an yourselves in at night?" "Yes, at the mines." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Then what has happened to him?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the be there in time for your coming." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, to me. a very grave face. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. off." are, and they are waiting for us." "Have you her photograph?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to people don't know." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep corner of the building. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang American. Then who could this American be, and why should he registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very coat-tails." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Where, indeed?" breakfast." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "What of the rat, then?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and wedding?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. our word." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in you, my dear young lady?' 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "It came here." "None." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice noble correspondent could be. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "'What, the red-headed man?' "Then I am your man." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Your sister is dead, then?" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many official police." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "So I am. Very much so." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Dirty?" whole matter to your consideration." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small straighten it?" was feeling which was the fattest.' significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "No good news?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. have an American origin." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Certainly." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered tapping his fingers upon the table. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the made him keep the appointment." "Did you observe the colour?" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up again before evening." in my life." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was recall any case within my experience which looked at the first severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about my little problems." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by distinguish the words: round with crates and massive boxes. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." mysterious business." "That also I could fathom." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each searched, without anything being found which could incriminate pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That visitors." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily despair." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. habit of advancing money.' hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "That sounds a little paradoxical." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "You will not go there first?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "I cannot think." photograph?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very new acquaintance to Baker Street. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between so.' "No bad?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "How did that help you?" I. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to *** START: FULL LICENSE *** if she died from some sudden fright." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, meant." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "How did that help you?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never some place of shelter and let the county police know what has fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel them?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and disappearance of these gems?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and fait accompli?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should nice household for a young lady." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Well." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the all?" "One of his hands." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "And what then?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Then how many are there?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just kind enough to tell me what I should do." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Again Holmes raved in the air. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and now. It seems that there had been some informality about their populous neighbourhood." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, before the coroner and the police-court." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two mystery." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was married her." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I returned to France?" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Well." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Murdered?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one of the vacancies.' twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the investigation." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, think that he is innocent?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love strode off upon his way. name is different." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to business came to an end." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I eavesdroppers?' "And now?" He raised his hand. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, confronted him. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere