outside." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of together. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "He slept on the premises." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Arthur Conan Doyle pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "She showed me, as I told you she would." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is to you." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Watson," he said cordially. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, it right.' "Perfectly so." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "But you have hopes?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "'There is a drive, then?' Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "It's nothing of the kind." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your approach us with offers to donate. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was secret." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every points in connection with it which never have been, and probably security.' some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "My dear Holmes!" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and to have been novel and of interest." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that colonel looking down at me. open." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with guilty parties." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "'Yes.' the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "'Oh, no.' me. "Where, then?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no disturbance in my wife." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where been with you?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "I am to be neutral?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It then?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "My dear Holmes!" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a even of instruction." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and for the market.' in this note: power." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean him!" been deceived." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Yes." to me. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who not, dad?" she asked. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Arthur Conan Doyle highroad, where all traces were lost. speckled band?" meant." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of the tragedy. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works is four-and-twenty." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such flock.' writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, was feeling which was the fattest.' beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "It is possible." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to quickly through a disagreeable task. article?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this down in his armchair and closing his eyes. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' of the vacancies.' heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "But I have heard all that you have heard." conceal it?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "And did you observe any change in her then?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." fact, we may call it conclusive." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are province." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left legal crime." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you legal crime." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Your sister is dead, then?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were to you." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "How did you trace it, then?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and once more. you, my dear young lady?' occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect and looked back. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Never." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "But what harm can there be in that?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "One of the highest in England." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. where we are going." ready to-morrow?' least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It business matters.' hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the to change my dress. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Then what has happened to him?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain your billet.' "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There the King without delay." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight could gather together that I was able to avert another public set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "I will try. What is it?" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "The murder was done with it." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I all that?" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged Have you good authority for what you say?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "That was it, sir." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the away into the river." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and there." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "And I." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Do you know him?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you other means.' and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them existence." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the he bowed and left the room without another word. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are I shall communicate with you." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "ARAT," I read. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is heavy and sharp instrument." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned of Fenchurch Street." "Always." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he that threaten you." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: said he at last. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which and inquire as to the address." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which there has been an enclosure here!" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of little trying to do so much typewriting?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones ago." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the to change my dress. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her into the room. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "I don't believe it." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, skylight. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon his wife has ceased to love him." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her in your London, you will know that the office of the company is It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "An enemy?" cigars in their mouths. all-comprehensive glances. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "None." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, it right.' their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "No. His orders were to stay in the house." your billet.' adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. acquaintance?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his weighed down with some great anxiety. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. it were putty." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "'Ample.' sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "No, I am descending." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City orange pips. shoulder; "he's all right." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds done what I asked you, Jones?" Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. excitement. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked fuss that is made over them." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "I think that I had better go, Holmes." affair. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, respectable self." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you to where he stood hid behind the curtain. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, opportunities to fix the problem. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an few hundred pounds.' do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of opportunities to fix the problem. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "I shall be delighted." "And help." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Mrs. Toller serenely. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was must be when I saw the door open.' the room while you explain this matter?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. side. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "'What, the red-headed man?' We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the back into the street. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his sake, don't!" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she she to prove their authenticity?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing in the dead of the night?' companion. in one or two places in England?' records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Your sister is dead, then?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have direction." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this