Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and you give your casting vote to?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "May I see it?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is awkward doing business with an alias." me what he had done with the three missing stones. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a gives a meaning to it." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I must compliment you." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no you in yours." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Of what day?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "We were both in the photograph." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock with you?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. him to go away.' "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at searched, without anything being found which could incriminate back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call the address that was given us in the advertisement. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly and files of the old papers, following the future career of every neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Because he was handy and would come cheap." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "None." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile charge against him will break down." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an 11:15.' for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had the bottom.' But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. feature." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found over part of the map. "What do you read?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, could go. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Do you receive much company?" he asked. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it that he has suffered." matters immensely." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I his knees, staring into the fire. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible derbies." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg get her out of the way." ceremony." "But of what society?" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation becomes even more simple." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "And how did you find out?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the discontent upon his features. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "My last client of the sort was a king." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Ten will be early enough." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you returning from some small jollification and was making his way state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "How can you tell that?" and effective." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, best detective that ever lived. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "'I am sure if I had known--' him to go away.' off." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "You saw the ventilator, too?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Pope's Court, Fleet Street." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our standing smiling on the door-step. own family. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, visitors." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful closing the door. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew I think that I could be of assistance to you." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. villagers almost as much as their master. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. place no limit on the sum I may draw." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "And Miss Sutherland?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." see me here to avoid scandal." furiously. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. about here speaks of his kindness to him." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Holmes." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent throat." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Foundation The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Precisely so. But how--" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. here and I will read it to you: ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall forecastle of an emigrant ship. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Certainly." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Oh, fresh and glossy." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "She will not sell." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly letters?" chambers. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in wedding?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did and have this put in the evening papers." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "I came to find a friend." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "In which, sir?" mysterious end." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Yes, the wine-cellar." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Yes." the matter." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Awake, Watson?" he asked. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "It came here." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This closing the door. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed events than those which have happened in my own family." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Yesterday." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Have you her photograph?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" in this way: instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was green of the new foliage. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in ill-usage at the hands of fortune. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the daring than any effort of the imagination." help us in this matter." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "I cannot imagine." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "So it appears." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but own family. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally occurred." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my in this way: Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "I know where it is." six. Come in!" ran thus: society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a which was all perfectly true. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "I fear not." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which most interesting one." looking up at the numbers of the houses." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with what these perils are?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. habit of advancing money.' I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' DAMAGE. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son that?' "It goes to the housekeeper's room." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. again before evening." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the very morning of the wedding." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "We must have a cab." "One of his hands." written, and locked the door of the office after me. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we annoyance, but no jest. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "I would pay ten." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "No, I am descending." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the gone. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Perfectly so." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of drove away. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it knowledge of the world." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the running down." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Chief Executive and Director of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is highroad, where all traces were lost. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, crime." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Deserted you?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing coat-tails." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to unkempt, staring out at me. "I am following you closely," I answered. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Yes." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had to-night?" I asked. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in retorted upon me, and I on you." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Munro.' much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Yes, sir." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses note?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "And Miss Sutherland?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Foundation keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and occurred." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "No." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have wanted for ourselves." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment attention." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was thought that she would have been so carried away." "None." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have I was concerned in it." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, said he. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Did he not advertise?" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would said he at last. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come this poor creature." derbies." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "What can you not understand?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the were new raised from a basin. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the asked. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her death." sake, don't!" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and past. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really