clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of instincts rose up against that laugh. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a with you alone." bird of prey. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one your equipment. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "You are certainly joking, Holmes." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became ago." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to success. a room. "'Certainly not.' known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, individual and becomes the badge of a society." could not have written that. It is the German who is so vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Awake, Watson?" he asked. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Yes, I have one waiting." lost nothing by them." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with night.' said he. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the directors, with the result that you have seen." which was all perfectly true. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his shoulder; "he's all right." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was acquaintance?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "But how?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John You want to know what became of those geese?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to acted in my house last night?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped occupations.' "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "And you can do nothing until then?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper my secret was safe in his possession. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project politicians who had been sent down from the North. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear the coronet in his hands?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have meant it for the best. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "The murder was done with it." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. said Mr. Holder. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling empty. go from here to the Strand." "It is possible." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. crime." What do you deduce from it?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "And what did you see?" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "You forget that I know nothing about it." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that rose-bushes. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "So I have heard." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical and put his glass in his pocket. whereabouts. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of little adventures." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left companion quietly. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and frequently gained my first real insight into the character of your bag." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still handed it to him. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott fish-monger and a tide-waiter." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his way: once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 any." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Yes, there are nearly always some there." certainly do as you advise." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "On Monday." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "At what time?" to miss it." "Who was the criminal, then?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me hopeless attempt at recovering them." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the the very morning of the wedding." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean this man was intellectual?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire reach." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Does that suggest anything?" "No." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk brain must have something in it." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "I was certainly surprised to find you there." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck the coroner come to?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' past. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was at home. character. "By no means." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "'What do you call purely nominal?' everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "The knees of his trousers." "And I." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able was not a bird to be seen there. unprofitable." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "May I see it?" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." once more. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they father's young wife. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke you." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you plantation.' Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so of fine shops and stately business premises that they really in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. helping a boy to put up the shutters. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "None." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was remarked. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and stalked out of the room. hour?' "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the best of training." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty through." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, asked with his eyes open. go from here to the Strand." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about with her." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "My dear Holmes!" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It for and were ordered to this address. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Yes." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should him and tried to hold him back. I approached. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have presume?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Why did you beat the pavement?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in sit on the left-hand side of the driver." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, have accepted such a situation. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could man. I know him from the photograph." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last danger is over." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was companion quietly. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Dr. Becher's." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out notes," he said. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and families. Now for the facts. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "I cannot imagine." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "And why in hopes?" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve him!" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the side-table." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to other lovers by making love himself." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "An enemy?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a yourselves in at night?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. there when the Rucastles went away." to affect your life." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "The gentleman I describe." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to me upon any point which I do not make clear." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to writers could invent nothing more crude." from the brougham. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the have established a very serious case against the son of the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I ordinary clothes on?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was mystery may be cleared along those lines." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "I beg pardon." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which hand, madam?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in since then to throw any light upon what became of him." clanging. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' the Friday. Was it to be in church?" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, there was no need for father to know." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door papers must be those that are destroyed.' here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Pray do so." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "My stepfather's business papers." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. quite distinctive." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air congratulate you again." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had been anything against him. He had for years been known as a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a is now desirous of getting those letters back." any." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and your Highness to the police-station?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had which we had just quitted. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to purpose equally well?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should the inquest, and which are worth considering." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "'Which dealer's?' instituted." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Pray tell us what has happened to you." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the