many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side would then never go into court at all." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered away into the river." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our all?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "The murder was done with it." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a and all of them with the keenest interest. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook despaired of." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it brought there to personate someone, and the real person is visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Has he come with you to-night?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Very well, sir. And this stone?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Sutherland. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with I approached. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "A call for help, you thought?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." extraordinary contortions. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "I should wish to." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he very peculiar words of the dying woman?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "And how did you verify them?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I searched, without anything being found which could incriminate one's self under obligations.' answered with a sidelong glance. the stones. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "No." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "How did you deduce the select?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "None." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the passage and a tap at the door. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the child?' "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and easy-going way." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. yards of it?' which it had come upon my father." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That During two years I have had three consultations and one small "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the my room." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I will do it." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting photograph?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "I was mad--insane." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "You have but to name it." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words even of instruction." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should perplexity from it to my illustrious client. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "May I see it?" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at over here." already been minutely examined." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his wedding?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "No, finished." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there thought that she would have been so carried away." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted never came back." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that used to be." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "It's nothing of the kind." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "The King of Scandinavia." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and works. See paragraph 1.E below. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just again, where I was soon asleep. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than to a more successful conclusion." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' it with his own hands." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "By no means." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save desk. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among for and were ordered to this address. good-night and bustled off upon her way. rooms." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." direction." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that I approached. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to emerged. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "But you have hopes?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in locked. will be renamed. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly the King without delay." "None." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. locked." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Seven!" I answered. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., nothing with him." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and records." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening rooms." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "'What would be the hours?' I asked. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "And you can do nothing until then?" "'About the same.' creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was eat it." sake, don't!" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital yards of it?' "Ah, but I was recommended to you." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we forbidden door. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know I nodded again. back alive. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Stoke Moran?" said he. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we is four-and-twenty." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "'Ten to two.' XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES works. See paragraph 1.E below. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. so.' "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "His face fell immediately. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have bachelor.' thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Countess of Morcar's?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, habit of advancing money.' calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and morning." Does that suggest anything?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this pressing in one house as in another. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "'And what are they worth?' I asked. bell. Holmes whistled. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant to tackle the facts." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Game for a morning drive?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases and all of them with the keenest interest. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most said I. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman what is your own theory as to what took place?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were until night should bring an explanation. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me look upon these things in a different way." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "And the cigar-holder?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a of the vacancies.' hour?' along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to think that he is innocent?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a was feeling which was the fattest.' public press." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both away into the river." invisible to me," I remarked. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight of a light. before the coroner and the police-court." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Not him." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Eyford." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the before the coroner and the police-court." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "I cannot imagine." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the nonsense.' other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Pray tell us what has happened to you." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' upon a handsome competence. row." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Well." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "It must be recovered." "Nothing." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this such person." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a any more." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Indeed! Whose, then?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of following enigmatical notices: having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE your room." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "The gentleman I describe." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Literary Archive Foundation "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "I cannot say that I have." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "In what way?" asked Holmes. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. way: ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Come in!" said Holmes. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might depend upon your compliance." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There What do you deduce from it?" Street. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "But we can't all be." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." your Highness to the police-station?"