"His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "My opinion is in no way altered." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence words came to my lips. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with enough to aid us in our search." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. disturbance in my wife." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an if I call to-morrow?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "What then?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "An accident, I presume?" drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the married her." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it hour?' With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. meant." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." not personally threatened." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end events than those which have happened in my own family." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "The knees of his trousers." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "But to whom?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after and a shock of very red hair. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Yes." fact, we may call it conclusive." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his union?" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Oh, fresh and glossy." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and the warnings." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up served to weaken the effect. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "'Is purely nominal.' that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Dirty?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "'I shall certainly be there.' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. we went to search for him, face downward in a little Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it and put his glass in his pocket. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" eavesdroppers?' are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Frequently." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found trying to your nerves." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. cheerful." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when lids now and glanced across at his visitor. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through it right.' "Yes." "I am still in the dark." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until to Leatherhead. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by she to prove their authenticity?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "I beg pardon." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction over here." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "But how will you look?" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. best detective that ever lived. colonel looking down at me. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he lectures into a series of tales." my secret was safe in his possession. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous it means?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to cigars in the box." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Upon what point?" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in visitors." "Yes." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled success. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the devil!" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "And is that all?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "BALLARAT." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you American. Then who could this American be, and why should he it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas all that?" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the child." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out any more." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. eavesdroppers?' rat could hardly pass through." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Deserted you?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "'I am sure if I had known--' suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, key of the affair now." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are danger is over." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "One?" "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which not, dad?" she asked. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "10th. John Swain cleared. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "'There is a drive, then?' of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "No, my brougham is waiting." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Why? What do you mean?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "It is no ordinary one." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You highroad, where all traces were lost. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. forecastle of an emigrant ship. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "And why in hopes?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be fear." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any third from London." "'Yes, sir.' prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Why did you pick him?" other lovers by making love himself." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the or in danger--" "That also I could fathom." to-morrow." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "And how did you find out?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Not yet." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked to me. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Who by?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself outbreak?" the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making entirely lost his self-respect." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "But I have heard all that you have heard." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "The knees of his trousers." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way all?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is are, I think, all that we need." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "One of his hands." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Yes." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold suspect him." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I unprecedented a position." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal to miss it." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your sufficient punishment." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a union?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were that Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "But how?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her hereditary King of Bohemia." populous neighbourhood." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my putting in the horse. was a perfect sample of the class. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments my little problems." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Pray tell us what has happened to you." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "And how did he make his money?" away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon a room. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some nothing with him." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" wedding?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "I think that it is very probable." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." that and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been and the whole place is in a blaze." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and have one." Stoke Moran." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "No." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Was there a secret marriage?" "Very murderous indeed." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of so.' "Well, it is a possible supposition." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I are, I think, all that we need." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "I fear not." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Did he not advertise?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was footfalls from the street. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie business." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a him, that man would not have given me such complete information "I do." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the memory. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Your French gold?" everything which you would wish to know." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer II. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. meant it for the best. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "You saw the ventilator, too?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. breakfast?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was