would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Who by?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me outside." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Then, how do you know?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "And help." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Count Von Kramm." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "No, my brougham is waiting." strength of mind to control. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of nothing of it?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' been shamefully used." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "You are certainly joking, Holmes." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining purpose equally well?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands not use it unless it is absolutely needed." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. these bleak autumnal evenings." "That was it, sir." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the beg that you will break it off." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." true." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied me." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! lamp in his hand. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a three of the beryls in it, was missing. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely into the bag, and made for the door. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "There is the writing." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its was once confined in the cab my mission was practically so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. cigars in their mouths. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. read over the extraordinary announcement. "Her father is very rich?" know what is wrong with it.' of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a sooner or later she must fall a victim. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "It is his hat." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. But Holmes shook his head gravely. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did works. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. started for the Temple to see my husband. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely meant." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the villagers almost as much as their master. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a was keenly on my guard against him. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to written. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us must be when I saw the door open.' "'What, the red-headed man?' the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are the running down." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" invisible to me," I remarked. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my to arrive at through this?" daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Yes?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat residence of the great financier. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he of his shoulders. "But you were on a friendly footing?" manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who heavily into it. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with three of the beryls in it, was missing. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "And the murderer?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I am in hopes that she does." "Your French gold?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was there was no need for father to know." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy think that he is innocent?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next to have been novel and of interest." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his over here." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. towards the blaze. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or manager. wanted for ourselves." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "What?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "I will try. What is it?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the brandy and water within his reach. the so-precious time, but come!' very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this hour." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the families. Now for the facts. gone before you can get him to hospital." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united burst into a hearty fit of laughter. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "I have my revolver," said I. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two right! Sit down and let us talk it over." foresight and the moral retrogression?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the My friend smiled. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "No, I am descending." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or that you saw all that I did." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "No, thank goodness, she did not." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "What are they?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to papers on the sundial.'" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to too. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend direction." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Not yet." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to and a shock of very red hair. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, discontent upon his features. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, the side-table." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out the King without delay." the date of his supposed suicide." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" and your relations to her." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a may never be exposed to such a temptation." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "In San Francisco, a year ago." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." I am not easy in my mind about them." unclasping of his long thin hands. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "I will, Miss Turner." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "It may not come to that," said Holmes. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "And I say east," said my patient. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he carried out of court." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" appeared upon the scene." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously one of the states of the Union." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by hard-headed British jury." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Holmes, the busybody!" "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous was not a bird to be seen there. salesman. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and have not had my rubber." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "What then?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the criminal. We have already had experience of such." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a waste of energy." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "What are they?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "You horrify me!" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving fatally injured? "What can it mean?" I gasped. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he are windows in it, of course?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "I am sure." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She security.' Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one back into the street. so.' "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "You have carte blanche." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of fluttered off among the others. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her national property. I was determined that the law should have its particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "'I am sure if I had known--' compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Your sister is dead, then?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were money should be paid at once.' sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the it." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "How many? I don't know." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: question you as to those details which seem to me to be most which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "It is possible." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to an introduction to him?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one fish-monger and a tide-waiter." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But McCarthy." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Will you go?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue hereditary King of Bohemia." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the to take care of herself." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a future lives." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and,