future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has views." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw to surprise her." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an cup of tea. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have chambers. "Yes." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet vanished into the darkness. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police memory. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed even so self-evident a thing as that." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "What are they?" the coronet in his hands?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' there in twenty minutes." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "On the contrary, this is the right side." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle what do you think they found in the pockets?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "That was it, sir." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming for and were ordered to this address. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. kind enough to tell me what I should do." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "In answer to an advertisement." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Have you it here?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "He slept on the premises." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "I was sure that I might rely on you." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Did he not advertise?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Yes." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "None. Neville wrote those words." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Holmes' thin, eager face. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Why did you pick him?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." was feeling which was the fattest.' heavily into it. name is different." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to there were so many in the whole country as were brought together tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Tired-looking or fresh?" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by like gravel from a pit.' bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "No legal papers or certificates?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could long narrative. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his During two years I have had three consultations and one small had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the discontent upon his features. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped perplexity from it to my illustrious client. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss that he has suffered." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable I think that I could be of assistance to you." that, and I came down." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was of fine shops and stately business premises that they really plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself taking in every detail of the apartment. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had washing it down with a long draught of water. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." photograph?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by was shining brightly. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which placed his cuttings. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I a good hundred miles off by now." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a test if we have an answer to our advertisement." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one crackling voice. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I strange features which were associated with the two crimes which the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. your sleep?' few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" sparkled upon his finger. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw things are very often connected not with the larger but with the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that in a very precise fashion." not, dad?" she asked. place of silver." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his constraint." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Holmes rather sternly. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait occurred." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "The Coroner: What do you mean? "You have it, sir, just as it happened." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Not I." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, there has been an enclosure here!" "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon happened." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "'And the work?' cheerful." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Thank you. Pray proceed." the bottom.' "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking bedroom door." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Where did he live, then?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "'What do you call purely nominal?' found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has impression behind it as though a window had gently closed regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a photograph?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a go from here to the Strand." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "I would give my fortune to have them back." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "By no means." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Were they all fastened this morning?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined not use it unless it is absolutely needed." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "What is it, then--a fire?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Mrs. Toller serenely. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "None." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in his face which made him a very different person to the round, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Not particularly." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Countess of Morcar's?" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "'Ample.' conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of closely." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any man. to tackle the facts." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak upon the shelf for the interim." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "How often?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "You have compromised yourself seriously." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into October 9, 1890. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should once more on the important position which you have been fortunate it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "'Which dealer's?' then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "In answer to an advertisement." envelope. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure room had already been engaged for us. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Eh? What was that?" "Entirely." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. used to be." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled off." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Quite so." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "His face fell immediately. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was fishes. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two as noiselessly as she had come. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "But you were on a friendly footing?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Of Friday, June 19th." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The some city in a dream. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it rose-bushes. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the interest. They are important, you understand, without being "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in crackling voice. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "And sit in the dark?" "That is unusual in a young girl." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was yourselves in at night?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would one or two very singular points about this room. For example, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "'A dozen yards or so.' King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he from you?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right neither fascinating nor artistic." "He slept on the premises." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all said I. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Texas, I think." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. closely." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "In heaven's name, what for?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Texas, I think." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out late!' drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' chair. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "That was it, sir." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend this unhappy family?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray particular state visit http://pglaf.org began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our tension within him. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his tell me that you intended to go into harness." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman.