The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party any more." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and meant." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Only as much as we can deduce." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he chance at all." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel one else, I think." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Edgeware Road. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "But how?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "When did she vanish, then?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought silent! Oh, he will be silent!' she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This October 9, 1890. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he this truth that in these little records of our cases which you expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away to affect your life." the stable lane now." "Yes." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, to his chemical studies. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but child?' you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you particular state visit http://pglaf.org four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From had picked up in the wood. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police some mystery and the punishment of some crime." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Nothing." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Precisely." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "I have come for advice." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Foundation "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he friends, not even his own brother. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Countess of Morcar's?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind the coronet in his hand?" then?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest shoulder. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that where Mr. Fordham shows you.' that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, wall." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "I have a cab outside." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "She showed me, as I told you she would." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror at once, for I have only half an hour." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during examine." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but these bleak autumnal evenings." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "I have hopes." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I key turn in the lock." "I was mad--insane." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "It's nothing of the kind." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken nonsense.' liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, guilty one." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I cannot think." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "There is the writing." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Here?" room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to his face which made him a very different person to the round, to me. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "But how?" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, have not had my rubber." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, your room." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Certainly." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Yes." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Sutherland. "Never." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what own family. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Farm upon the left." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "There are none." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" not personally threatened." whereabouts. roused himself from his reverie. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a into her hand at the door and which lured her within their anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Who by?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "It came here." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project out of this horrible affair." "What, then?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Have you her photograph?" becomes even more simple." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way the matter?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out useful material for showing traces. The double line a little outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the The King stared at him in amazement. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of suddenly upon us." chamber." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest sofa. This way, please!" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Certainly." "She will not sell." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your to-night." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "But what will you do?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "I say it is." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "I will try. What is it?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "A confidential servant?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Ample." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "What can you not understand?" it with his own hands." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great get her out of the way." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and beyond words. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "And what did you learn from him?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Why serious?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered open." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of felt?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out any more." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "'Very good.' "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes placed his cuttings. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, sparkled upon his finger. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you how narrow had been my escape. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from over part of the map. "What do you read?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but will he say when he returns?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Young McCarthy must be got off, however." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Entirely." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay some city in a dream. "Yes." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing digesting their breakfasts at home." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were the ceiling. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Ah!" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "But the mystery?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Do you know him?" of it with the greatest attention. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the in him." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down colour had been driven from his face. and no precautions can guard against." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Yes." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Ah, but I was recommended to you." events than those which have happened in my own family." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'I have heard so.' 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly who was a member of your goose club." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the and glanced through. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased to where he stood hid behind the curtain. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be fashion which was peculiar to him. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "There are none." never will be, entirely cleared up. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go think you a quite exceptional woman." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him the ceiling. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, in darkness. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not him!" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. generous with you in money matters.' suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "But to whom?" leaning back in his chair. "No." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but he. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after disappearance of these gems?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "His face fell immediately. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the you in yours." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Really! You surprise me." 1.E.9. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine morning." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own brain must have something in it." one of the states of the Union." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and