during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "That's no good." that he will be back before evening." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "'I am sure that I do not know.' She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Yes, at the mines." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others DAMAGE. call you and give you the chance." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it least a fellow-countryman. call the police, let the police find what they can.' Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest meant it for the best. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly are windows in it, of course?" at my own good fortune. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "No, I had a dozen." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would in the dead of the night?' Eyford." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of you?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. of the one which your family is now devouring." individual and becomes the badge of a society." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "That also I could fathom." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to happened." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I sake, don't!" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "One of the highest in England." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "VIOLET HUNTER." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "That is easily got." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." fact, we may call it conclusive." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "I don't believe it." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That bird of prey. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "You will not go there first?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual outsides of the windows. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of down in his armchair and closing his eyes. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread business." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible opened the door, and slipped through. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the coronet in his hand?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which congenial hunt. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but my little problems." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very this Miss Turner." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very his knees, staring into the fire. not come at once?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little London for the present?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Never." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "The knees of his trousers." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "And I." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Can I be of assistance?" There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the I held the little printed slip to the light. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon your own bird, so if you wish--" morning." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the station." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Of Friday, June 19th." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with would apply.' "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "No legal papers or certificates?" "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "How about poison?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, to change my dress. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "By all means." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue II. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a question. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "You saw the ventilator, too?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he him." "Can I be of assistance?" fatally injured? "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just figure." "Proceed, then." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are you understand?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard was the fact that his father should, according to his account, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or who was a member of your goose club." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Very truly yours, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual them present such singular features as the strange train of to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the child." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the room while you explain this matter?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "He slept on the premises." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Imitated." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Henry Baker is a member." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I am all attention, madam." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the friends, not even his own brother. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "What office?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. said he. Arthur Conan Doyle at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; too. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "ARAT," I read. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "That was it, sir." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of away into the river." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and in him." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very highroad, where all traces were lost. "How did that help you?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, appointment with me for six o'clock?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and it with his own hands." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "And what then?" a good hundred miles off by now." again, where I was soon asleep. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Yes." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke in a friendly supper." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him such attractions and accomplishments?' wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until occurred." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears bedroom door." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "It came here." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." companion. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Yes, only one." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." there!' the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "My opinion is in no way altered." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "None." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "How many? I don't know." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are horse could go." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "You horrify me!" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "About a month then." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination it right.' those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that in this note: America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried said Mr. Holder. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered posted to-day." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just future lives." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Upon what point?" remarked. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly room. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian annoyance, but no jest. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Yes, at the mines." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Munro.' "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr.