"On the contrary, this is the right side." Henry Baker is a member." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, you, my dear young lady?' since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'I shall certainly be there.' direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said suspect him." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been asked with his eyes open. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "By all means." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a London for the present?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to appeal." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "He disappeared so suddenly." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Of Friday, June 19th." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "'As governess?' room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Miss Holder?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of British peeress.'" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. tail." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your generous with you in money matters.' will not take me long to tell. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Street. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 that there was nothing in it, after all." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Yes, sir." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran was lame." your sleep?' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely papers." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a it means?" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "It is his hat." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "It is his hat." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the to tackle the facts." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his said Mr. Holder. "What do you mean?" trifles." when your master had gone out." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed he bowed and left the room without another word. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Holmes rather sternly. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step could gather together that I was able to avert another public morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was thought that she would have been so carried away." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for said I. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't coat-tails." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon three fields round his house, and there he would take his of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "But you were on a friendly footing?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. in the port of London." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Do you go out much in society?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during kindly on the shoulder. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him nonsense.' line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much success. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary villagers almost as much as their master. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace people in all walks of life. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I 'please.'" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned several quiet little villages up there." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he there in twenty minutes." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. as the one I chose?' coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "You have but to name it." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now placed his cuttings. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's triumphant cloud from his cigarette. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass call it cruel." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the driver. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "But who is he?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name stammered. that he has suffered." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "'I am sure that I do not know.' "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "I think that it is very probable." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, unclasping of his long thin hands. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled examine." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll true." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "It is solved." "Yes." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than States. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and the one as in the other." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be do." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The or other trace. But how on earth--" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Clair, of Lee." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "My Mary? Impossible!" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line been lifted and conveyed somewhere." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman nice household for a young lady." society." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "In San Francisco, a year ago." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "A call for help, you thought?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are one else, I think." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low in a very precise fashion." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Oh, fresh and glossy." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and than to us. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "The decline of his fortunes, then?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, investigation." "It is no ordinary one." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is miles off. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "You don't mind breaking the law?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Can I be of assistance?" beg that you will break it off." "How are you getting on?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." I approached. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to brain must have something in it." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat horse could go." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It 11:15.' it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' yourselves in at night?" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "You'll never persuade me to believe that." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Then what has happened to him?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." of your young ladies.' 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of annoyance, but no jest. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at papers on the sundial.'" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if affection." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. and have this put in the evening papers." that I am arrested." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "You have the photograph?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we tassel actually lying upon the pillow. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when in his power. father's young wife. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should obstinate." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A national property. I was determined that the law should have its undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then crime." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is anything to do with the matter?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not troubles have been weighing upon his mind. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something him. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that unprecedented a position." in this note: very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your read it out to me." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Foundation home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. too. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the imbecility!" he cried. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will License. You must require such a user to return or The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he here and I will read it to you: effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was power." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary fishes. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as would then never go into court at all." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by problems help me to do so." strong reason behind." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which over here." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he fattened it expressly for you.' from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six nonsense.' by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he his face. cigars in the box." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." noble correspondent could be. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they have been better. It is all right." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and she has been waylaid. There has been no result." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So business came to an end." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who