you, my dear young lady?' suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner of the way of danger. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the foresight and the moral retrogression?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! forehead. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did back into the street. prepare for the new role I have to play." with the outside air!" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how that there was nothing in it, after all." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all bonnet, and went out." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Tired-looking or fresh?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that of Fenchurch Street." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the over part of the map. "What do you read?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "There is the writing." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do friends, not even his own brother. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms hour?' great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not done what I asked you, Jones?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" without a word or a look. prepare for the new role I have to play." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Sholtos." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, quickly through a disagreeable task. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand lamp. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Yes." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid both be extremely obliged.' sneer upon his pale face. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "I cannot say that I have." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Frequently." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "'Never,' said I. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over shoulder. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate never came back." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that just called myself is not exactly my own." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; know all about it," he snarled. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this four million human beings all jostling each other within the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his prison!" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "It certainly sounds feasible." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Surrey." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." of this gang." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "But not more so than I to find you." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. me upon any point which I do not make clear." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "But how?" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no appeared upon the scene." was already answered. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" rose-bushes. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "My dear Holmes!" "How did you trace it, then?" "Frequently." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Never to return." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which the iron safe, which he closed upon it. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the nursery. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; and shall probably return to London by the evening train." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it The telegram which we eventually received came late one night this unhappy family?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "And your father? Did you tell him?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'I shall certainly be there.' again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, such person." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom of your young ladies.' are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "'Never.' Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "I was afraid that you were engaged." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "'Most admirably.' window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "And your father? Did you tell him?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait from you?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to tell them apart.' and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "From his hat?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what weighed down with some great anxiety. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Certainly." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Never to return." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the to-night." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America to his chemical studies. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "I should wish to." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend in this note: with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call to affect your life." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been whereabouts. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "It is possible." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "None." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. had a long day." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should during that time.' St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Holmes, the busybody!" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an his huge brown hands. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a papers on the sundial.'" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' quickly through a disagreeable task. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Countess of Morcar's?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. not personally threatened." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn even of instruction." Where does the thing come from?' answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "I will do it." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Not yet." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question again." six. Come in!" union?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying empty. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the already referred to. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my fish-monger and a tide-waiter." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Your presence might be invaluable." leaning back in his chair. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly 1.E.9. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up strong reason behind." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between more solid." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I cannot think." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "What have you to say now?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the whereabouts. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Did you become engaged then?" "Very truly yours, "My own seal." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were gigantic client. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. my special province." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "And what did you see?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "How did you trace it, then?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter floor. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in than was visible to me." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "To an English lawyer named Norton." closely." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until and glanced through. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Then I am your man." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a money should be paid at once.' a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and learned something! Where are the gems?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "How often?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Entirely." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the a room. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." noble correspondent could be. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had The events in question occurred in the early days of my down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too been able to understand it, in a very few words. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of formed some opinion?" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would tail." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned call it cruel." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "To the police?" desk. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Yes, I have one waiting." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "BALLARAT." the little opening for the ventilator is." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." gone. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed it. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter these bleak autumnal evenings." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "And now?" He raised his hand. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and anything to do with the matter?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "'What, the red-headed man?' "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to putting in the horse. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "We must have a cab." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "That also I could fathom." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, joking. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." my secret was safe in his possession. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had following enigmatical notices: never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve means taking possession of that which another person has a prior a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Ah, but I was recommended to you." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it charged with?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of promised to bring home. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "What do you make of that, Watson?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "He said too much." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. that "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and