Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "I say it is." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may London for the present?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. nothing with him." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case his wife has ceased to love him." Heh?' at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable acquaintance?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and them, and came down just as you departed. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "It is half-past ten now." wanted for ourselves." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend papers." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Yes, sir." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he union?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something fasten all the windows?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were fact, we may call it conclusive." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as threw himself down with his face to the pillow. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "But what will you do?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Yes, but only for you and me." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the four million human beings all jostling each other within the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent to take care of herself." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, the stones. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." six. Come in!" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all beyond words. own family. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that train.' observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as village inn over there?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't not interfere, come what may. You understand?" assist you in forming an opinion." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and tapping his fingers upon the table. he bowed and left the room without another word. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "'Certainly,' I answered. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "'Yes, it was gone.' seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could through." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has breakfast?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter important." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom without a word or a look. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "The best possible." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! shall not find me ungrateful." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "I don't say that. Perhaps." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "An accident, I presume?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill nonsense.' "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly important." drove away. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have forehead. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I experiences." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a this unhappy family?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to characteristics, but those are the more obvious." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Certainly." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened speckled band?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Very truly yours, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the have been better. It is all right." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, new acquaintance to Baker Street. "You saw the ventilator, too?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "I will get her to show me." "What, then?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked said I. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to the very morning of the wedding." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" strong reason behind." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" lost his Christmas dinner." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "How do you know, then?" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; developed." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such II. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the outside. speckled band?" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Never to return." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither felt?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem hour." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the in him." client, rising. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Dark enough and sinister enough." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Perfectly so." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Get out!" said he. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life all-comprehensive glances. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. coat-tails." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly do.' practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the night.' array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and room. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been gbnewby@pglaf.org "None." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, I nodded to show that I had heard. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." yet." way: Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All mysterious end." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "'Yes, I promise.' with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "My dear Holmes!" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father your own bird, so if you wish--" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Holmes. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far is worth.' not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless late." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Yes." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or on re-entering her father's house?" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes that, and I came down." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. do.' the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a appeared upon the scene." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed the driver. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "About a month then." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Yes." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and had formerly been in part my own. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." which are rolled in Rotterdam." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet these bleak autumnal evenings." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Upon what point?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. narrative." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce clang of the bell. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "When did she vanish, then?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a remarked. mysterious business." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Why did you beat the pavement?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "ARAT," I read. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As Watson," he said cordially. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa take the flies, but not before." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Project Gutenberg-tm works. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very lost his Christmas dinner." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Doctor, of the paper and the date." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to could not account in any way for the presence of the missing whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who crackling voice. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "You have compromised yourself seriously." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the visitors." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell meant." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we corner of the building. to talk it over. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all directors, with the result that you have seen." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will the address that was given us in the advertisement. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. to affect your life." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "It is very kind of you." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the