is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' tail." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "The murder was done with it." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Yes, that is the Crown." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, remarked. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I some water from a caraffe. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, seven miles from Eyford Station.' broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "And you thought he was pulled back?" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which laugh and put his lips to my ear. "My dear Holmes!" "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Yes, it was twisted." was used.' in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and burst out into a roar of laughter. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I will not look." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his most interesting one." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Count Von Kramm." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with heavy and sharp instrument." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there together. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes But Holmes shook his head gravely. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'You cannot say what it was?' it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "What! Had he lost his wife?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "But what harm can there be in that?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "You have the photograph?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is papers on the sundial.'" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." again before evening." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Yes." come either from the window or the door. My attention was surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his of a light. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which morning." "A client, then?" I. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "How on earth--" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "And that is--" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of you for a few hours?" in. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "I guessed as much." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "The Cedars?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest future lives." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "And how did you verify them?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently any little problem which you may submit to me." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical there is a decided draught." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have reach." "I was sure that I might rely on you." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. did not hear it also.' serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "What shall I do?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which upon an income of about 60 pounds." to-night." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table dead, shall be safe with us." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have in. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "By all means." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with forebodings. "You have carte blanche." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in becomes even more simple." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "You are certainly joking, Holmes." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out felt the room to be a little close.' "You have it, sir, just as it happened." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Not social, then?" must be when I saw the door open.' breakfast?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and where she found matters as described by the last witness. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Holmes rather sternly. "It is a murder, then?" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge companion imperturbably. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Why, it's a dummy," said he. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George already referred to. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, and your relations to her." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, think you a quite exceptional woman." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon humiliation." where she found matters as described by the last witness. himself to hunt down. digesting their breakfasts at home." or in danger--" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you I am not easy in my mind about them." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Of Friday, June 19th." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a which we had just quitted. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Of what?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Perhaps I have." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the spare." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "In heaven's name, what for?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet leave you to your papers for a little." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil man. I know him from the photograph." meant it for the best. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It hurried away. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they of receipt of the work. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. some city in a dream. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name other, as fresh and trim as possible. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the nursery. disturbance in my wife." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that the King without delay." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." invisible to me," I remarked. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the should be so warm over such a trifle." other lovers by making love himself." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Only as much as we can deduce." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "I am following you closely," I answered. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "A confidential servant?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though that he has suffered." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. investigation." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; will not take me long to tell. was it brought him the coronet? master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I you in yours." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "How many? I don't know." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for charged with?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "But how?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the nursery. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for about here speaks of his kindness to him." posted to-day." unkempt, staring out at me. of this gang." "Witness: Nothing definite. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "And how did you verify them?" test if we have an answer to our advertisement." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "ARAT," I read. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the devil!" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We retorted upon me, and I on you." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not this poor creature." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced was once confined in the cab my mission was practically less than 26s. 4d. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried later, upon the night of May 2nd." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "No more words. Get out!" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were page at http://pglaf.org "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have the very letters. But what is this written above them?' appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs and that he would see to anything that turned up. face and glided from the room. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Yes, they were peculiar boots." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "'How far from the body?' one else, I think." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the nursery. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "So I have heard." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was what these perils are?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "I will not look." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his