the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage wanted for ourselves." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every it with his own hands." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, you, my dear young lady?' way in." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "It missed him, then?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Does that suggest anything?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, to have that photograph." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, kind enough to tell me what I should do." him and tried to hold him back. "No." second window is the one that I jumped from." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "What, then?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "No." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "I will get her to show me." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "'Yes, I promise.' with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "She walked into the breakfast-room." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at and I shall be with you presently." Literary Archive Foundation ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in you." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "What! Had he lost his wife?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and fat-encircled eyes. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" might have a private word with us. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You name is different." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the I nodded to show that I had heard. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with narrative." danger is over." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." so far?" me where it went to?" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot was not a bird to be seen there. do.' papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Yes, at the mines." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in and a shock of very red hair. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Ah!" an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Deserted you?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong and your relations to her." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "I am still in the dark." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Come in!" said Holmes. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All wedding?" of a light. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all in my life." "Yes." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of good-night and bustled off upon her way. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from business in the City. She little knew what. have accepted such a situation. hour." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Here?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for whether it answered to the description of any of their railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly a room. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between of your young ladies.' furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" taking in every detail of the apartment. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to of your young ladies.' "I saw her in conversation with her maid." appeal." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "You don't mind breaking the law?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "To the police?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Not him." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has in my life." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "But I am all in the dark." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in information in his hands the value of which he did not himself His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving within hail.' Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Yes, the wine-cellar." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted words came to my lips. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk down. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "I say it is." entirely devoid of interest." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not there were so many in the whole country as were brought together were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "What have you done?" asked Holmes. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "What then?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand there is a decided draught." "And how have you succeeded?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Precisely." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between ceremony." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man important." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right been with you?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I formed some opinion?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my come either from the window or the door. My attention was after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the yourselves in at night?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other weighed down with some great anxiety. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and enough to aid us in our search." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round said he. "'Yes, sir.' orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" once more to my work. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the you?' to change my dress. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. my secret was safe in his possession. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that these bleak autumnal evenings." "I assure you that I am in your hands." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "I shall be delighted." kind enough to tell me what I should do." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'No, I know no one in these parts.' going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' But Holmes shook his head gravely. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time sufficient punishment." tapping his fingers upon the table. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said them?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Well, but China?" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the get her out of the way." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who prisoner's face. this poor creature." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I fashion which was peculiar to him. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which bill, which interests me deeply." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to forebodings. key of the affair now." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face man. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "But he might be a bachelor." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the My friend smiled. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "'I have heard so.' to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." with frightened eyes at his accuser. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Miss Holder?" been deceived." Eyford at 11:15.' Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That me upon any point which I do not make clear." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. desk. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the best of training." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are him nearly every evening." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the tragedy. "Nothing?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "'In my own bureau.' servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "I am armed." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. ways of our fellow-men." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was narrative." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say of the one which your family is now devouring." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'Certainly not.' naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged seen the man in the road." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your to arrive at through this?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your then?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" side. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second matter over." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross other lovers by making love himself." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of very morning of my second wedding." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps away into the river." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who carriage. It was a chestnut." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A seven miles from Eyford Station.' immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Which are?" disturbance in my wife." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the fat-encircled eyes. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when people in all walks of life. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "It is his hat." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Where, then, is my wife?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts come either from the window or the door. My attention was of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "It is possible." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "And help." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "'Very good.' "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord strong reason behind." "He slept on the premises." thin legs towards the fire. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his people in all walks of life. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present himself to hunt down. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Where did he live, then?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had and inquire as to the address." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I foot. "'I am sure that I do not know.' "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced promised to bring home. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This said he, "my real name is James Ryder." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, here." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and You can understand that this register and diary may implicate across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to entirely lost his self-respect." carpenter." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Not in the least." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business the Friday. Was it to be in church?" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent fuss that is made over them." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for business at Coburg Square is serious." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that stammered. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged."