of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a in a very precise fashion." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came opportunities to fix the problem. writers could invent nothing more crude." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable to go into your room and bar your shutters?" memory. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and this unhappy family?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for the driver. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your could gather together that I was able to avert another public wife's character?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. at once, for I have only half an hour." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Yes." "Indeed! Whose, then?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business simple cases which are so extremely difficult." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. yet." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "So I heard. You have him here?" "I think it very unlikely." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "So I heard. You have him here?" strength of mind to control. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered power." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your be best to do. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK opened the door, and slipped through. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "I think it very unlikely." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "You have carte blanche." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "At half-wages, in fact." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded him and tried to hold him back. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and The King stared at him in amazement. detained." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten events, Mr. Windibank!" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could burst out into a roar of laughter. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with unclasping of his long thin hands. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated was a lad." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, this remarkable episode. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my closely." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Oh, the cause is excellent!" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to one else, I think." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the best of training." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Pray be precise as to details," said he. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of them, and came down just as you departed. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one straightened it out again. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "None." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are been able to understand it, in a very few words. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to McCarthy's innocence. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "It missed him, then?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a morning." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Mary, has deserted me." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, only touch the interest." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Mary, has deserted me." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature than to us. you." crowd. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own go--none." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Stoke Moran." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "At half-wages, in fact." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Absolutely none." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." been shamefully used." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's keep the flames under. his wife has ceased to love him." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. written. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated thought that she would have been so carried away." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an quite distinctive." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Nothing." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you call for it in person on Monday morning.' as yours." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather to-night." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Yes." crackling voice. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each happened." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses and glanced through. "At half-wages, in fact." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of that the gas is not laid on in his house?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. business in the City. She little knew what. extraordinary contortions. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at outbreak?" direction." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had recover the gem." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a there!' in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Did he not advertise?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. best detective that ever lived. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two points in connection with it which never have been, and probably hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "And that is--" here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "You are hungry," I remarked. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say never to learn it at all." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Holmes, the busybody!" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "One?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Certainly, madam." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Then I am your man." bell. Holmes whistled. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a danger is over." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and guilty parties." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Dark enough and sinister enough." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the coronet in his hand?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Then what has happened to him?" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "It is possible." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "An enemy?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the murdered man." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Certainly." appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I sake, don't!" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried call the police, let the police find what they can.' They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Stolen." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "'Yes, it was gone.' "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "She will not sell." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." himself to hunt down. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes carriage. It was a chestnut." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the coronet in his hands?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring McCarthy's innocence. directly by questioning you." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "It may not come to that," said Holmes. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. maiden herself was most instructive." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was house for five minutes.' sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the hands. "And what then?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I should be immensely obliged to you." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and in a very precise fashion." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She go back?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful ashen face. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. But Holmes shook his head gravely. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" lamp. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that conduct the inquiry." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The unprecedented a position." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there McCarthy." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in to have that photograph." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon guilty parties." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "In answer to an advertisement." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "One of his hands." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "What! Had he lost his wife?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table.