"I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Did you observe the colour?" "I cannot tell." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" in him." to-night?" I asked. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "In the cells." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Eyford." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you once more on the important position which you have been fortunate something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could instincts rose up against that laugh. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I annoyance, but no jest. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from business?" how narrow had been my escape. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "'Which dealer's?' than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Your sister is dead, then?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Yes." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "'About the same.' furiously. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps power." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "No?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes own family. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day existence." there when the Rucastles went away." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the coat-tails." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only call the police, let the police find what they can.' repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would daring than any effort of the imagination." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, national property. I was determined that the law should have its I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, spark where all is dark to me." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a goes." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their subject to the trademark license, especially commercial there is a decided draught." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your flock.' petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "I was sure that I might rely on you." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, I. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that sneer upon his pale face. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the the nursery. "I am in hopes that she does." "No, distinctly professional." thought that she would have been so carried away." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than was not a bird to be seen there. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! his eyes and forehead. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on ill-usage at the hands of fortune. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come closing the door. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father pierced for earrings?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "But the mystery?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, strong and stiff." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Mary, has deserted me." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside against a man in the prime of life?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy second." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Heh?' light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "The doctor?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to dates and names. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I III. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not here." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "It surprised me." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her likely to be some crony of the landlady's." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the visitors." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke closing the door. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a there." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "It is possible." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Ten will be early enough." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "But I have heard all that you have heard." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, could go. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Nothing." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, The King stared at him in amazement. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to o'clock is it?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off brandy and water within his reach. "Nothing?" yourselves in at night?" of his shoulders. "When did she vanish, then?" There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in again on its way. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Frequently." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was of Fenchurch Street." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I crime. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Game for a morning drive?" away into the river." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Yes, he did." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' of Fenchurch Street." door?" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to had no one to advise her at such a crisis." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "The gentleman I describe." stammered. "What can it mean?" I gasped. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Cross for the Continent." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business neither fascinating nor artistic." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the been deceived." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very writer." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Perfectly so." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand miles off. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Certainly." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Here?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in happened." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Nothing." young Openshaw's." "In which, sir?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a beg that you will break it off." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "You have but to name it." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "In which, sir?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly him. learned something! Where are the gems?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered chill to my heart. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Chief Executive and Director "And how?" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "I say it is." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Oh, fresh and glossy." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a think you a quite exceptional woman." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have seven miles from Eyford Station.' It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "And now?" He raised his hand. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Come in!" said he. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "And that is--" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the side-table." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the married her." Street. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which to-night." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "And now?" I asked. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will States. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Oh, fresh and glossy." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when during which he might have communicated with his friend the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "But I have heard all that you have heard." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Yes." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William ceremony." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "It is half-past ten now." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps him. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never was a loud and authoritative tap. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a said he. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to morning." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the entirely devoid of interest." writing, and yet I know it well." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any indiscretion." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing were wasted." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Indeed! Whose, then?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question key of the affair now." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "'Never.' joking. compunction about shooting them down." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. my friend's incisive reasoning. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Quite so." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project there when the Rucastles went away." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "But how did you gain them?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "10th. John Swain cleared. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. man. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent writers could invent nothing more crude." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Not social, then?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I been anything against him. He had for years been known as a to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK bird of prey. in the hope of finding them." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present your equipment. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. go back?" "But not more so than I to find you." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "I will try. What is it?" for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab,