'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Holmes' face clouded over. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their upon the white wrist. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Thank you. And your address?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Ten will be early enough." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Was there a secret marriage?" "Awake, Watson?" he asked. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George business." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if about. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most joking. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "'Then let me do so?' "Then I can wait in the next room." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Bought." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into just called myself is not exactly my own." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black carpenter." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "And how did you find out?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Very murderous indeed." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the best of training." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of already been minutely examined." "Yes." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the a good hundred miles off by now." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis learned something! Where are the gems?" call for it in person on Monday morning.' shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "May I see it?" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "And how did you verify them?" same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by dates and names. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two and glanced through. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies some city in a dream. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little heavy and sharp instrument." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily your bag." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair James Windibank. Voilà tout!" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "One of his hands." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which fasten all the windows?" the roots. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled subject to the trademark license, especially commercial grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "In which, sir?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The intrusion of other matters." certainly do as you advise." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said brain must have something in it." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, questionable one." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. a monotonous occupation." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the secret." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at she slowly sank and died without having recovered her delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I cigars in the box." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to unclasping of his long thin hands. "Yes, but only for you and me." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great to his chemical studies. "And the murderer?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. golden eyeglasses. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You minor matters until to-morrow." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the voice. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a your Highness to the police-station?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "One of his hands." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There works. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey will find little credit to be gained out of this case." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front opportunities to fix the problem. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you she has been waylaid. There has been no result." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Nearly eleven." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE wall." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? God! What an exposure! What can I do?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could at a side door. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Foundation that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached bears upon the case?" dates and names. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over made his money." "My dear Holmes!" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, to miss it." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which recall any case within my experience which looked at the first He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling interest. They are important, you understand, without being already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Not in a good cause." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "What do you mean?" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "You did not overhear what they said?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "There is the writing." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "I shall be delighted." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence that, and I came down." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking all?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the tragedy. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four that threaten you." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Sutherland. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "On Monday." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man are, I think, all that we need." and put his glass in his pocket. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first before, for it was considerably after midnight. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time lids now and glanced across at his visitor. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Entirely." present." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper have one." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' that you saw all that I did." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was very old mansion. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "But he might be a bachelor." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." unprofitable." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he laugh and put his lips to my ear. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the before the coroner and the police-court." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to which we had just quitted. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. that you saw all that I did." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the not within a twentieth part of the market price." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "What are they?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "He said that you could solve anything." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had could go. brain must have something in it." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of that there was nothing in it, after all." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Yesterday." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in and laid it on the table. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. appeal." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Certainly." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was we went to search for him, face downward in a little far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur hardly wander." "My dear Holmes!" everything which you would wish to know." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do time." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I chill to my heart. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." standing smiling on the door-step. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'I have heard so.' should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "My own seal." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she question. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, or other trace. But how on earth--" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "You horrify me." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, on re-entering her father's house?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Perhaps we may make them less so." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "I should like to see him very much." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his miles off. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly sparkled upon his finger. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "My Mary? Impossible!" to have been novel and of interest." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "That is unusual in a young girl." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and about. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "It's nothing of the kind." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the not, dad?" she asked. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Absolutely?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us anything to a woman, for she would have her way." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Oh, yes, easily." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of