tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "What will you do, then?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the crime." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, in a friendly supper." "Yes, sir." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "'I have already given you my word.' little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock neither fascinating nor artistic." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Was your sister dressed?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend his knees, staring into the fire. "Certainly." joking. not within a twentieth part of the market price." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "What office?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one look dissatisfied." details." note?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "'I have already given you my word.' be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "What! a murderous attack?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to His name is Francis Prosper." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative never to learn it at all." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I official police." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his think you a quite exceptional woman." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "And I to find an enemy." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a relief. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at ashen face. "From his hat?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "I never have." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "But who is he?" been with you?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George galvanised. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I his face which made him a very different person to the round, "What will you do, then?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Dr. Gregory B. Newby "That you are never beaten." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as served to weaken the effect. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by DAMAGE. clanging. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; business matters.' heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "I beg pardon." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the My friend smiled. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have secret." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "I think that I had better go, Holmes." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly then?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I would pay ten." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Who by?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose there." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a place no limit on the sum I may draw." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. records." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see go back?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the back into the street. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "We have tried and failed." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other considering the formidable letters which were received by himself When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "And your mother is alive?" writers could invent nothing more crude." again before evening." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office appeared upon the scene." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "No?" cigars in their mouths. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. upon a handsome competence. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down roused himself from his reverie. is now desirous of getting those letters back." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers clang of the bell. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her death." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a results." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "What steps will you take?" I asked. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this one of them." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "This concluded the examination of the witness." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "It is possible." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to vanished into the darkness. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a friends, not even his own brother. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are was not a bird to be seen there. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman villagers almost as much as their master. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of License. You must require such a user to return or events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying upon an income of about 60 pounds." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "What can it mean?" I gasped. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that said he, "my real name is James Ryder." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no way: "Where, indeed?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in enter into my head. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled thin legs towards the fire. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Deserted you?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed just called myself is not exactly my own." "And I to find an enemy." within hail.' "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit morning." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. is a common subject for conversation. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "'Yes, sir.' Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the very letters. But what is this written above them?' in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the the address that was given us in the advertisement. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one point our research must commence, and we will begin it by can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of affair. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of unkempt, staring out at me. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" electronic works The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "What! Had he lost his wife?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "'Ample.' time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "No." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you hurried by. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Holmes' room. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "You think that he is dead?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in tear off another piece?' utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Not social, then?" "Yes, I have one waiting." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as four million human beings all jostling each other within the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Young McCarthy must be got off, however." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped my secret was safe in his possession. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "How did that help you?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident strength." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain in your London, you will know that the office of the company is have established a very serious case against the son of the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you I held the little printed slip to the light. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "That is possible." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting do.' "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' thirty. Mary, has deserted me." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "But of what society?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Not particularly." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "I see many objections to any such theory." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "And why?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should signal between you and your father? "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" strong reason behind." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into to where he stood hid behind the curtain. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor any more." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "You are certainly joking, Holmes." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train brandy and water within his reach. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Very truly yours, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? to a more successful conclusion." "The knees of his trousers." "In the cells." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Stolen, then." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, bears upon the case?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a future lives." "What is it, then--a fire?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a