not, dad?" she asked. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "I am sure." with frightened eyes at his accuser. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible hurried away. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent there has been an enclosure here!" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It crime." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. may never be exposed to such a temptation." of the way of danger. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but been shamefully used." "Witness: It was. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the mysterious end." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of to tell." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the to affect your life." carried out of court." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "I never have." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more assist you in forming an opinion." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Oh, fresh and glossy." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or of his shoulders. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "But how?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little any more." legal crime." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce returned to France?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, enter Dr. Roylott's room." morning." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "It certainly sounds feasible." have one." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the stood on the top of it. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. future lives." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** delighted to hear it," he said. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by intrusion of other matters." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "I beg pardon." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "My stepfather's business papers." Sholtos." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of 1.F. hurried away. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "You did not overhear what they said?" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Pope's Court. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Then I am your man." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of the best of training." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to wall." go from here to the Strand." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the fear." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "By no means." the address that was given us in the advertisement. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You remarked. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and power." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had that?' be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion memory. once more to my work. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." way in." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "To the police?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "'And the work?' I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine that I am arrested." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Pray do so." "I say that I have solved it." "That is unusual in a young girl." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "But he might be a bachelor." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "No, my brougham is waiting." way in everything. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its the date of his supposed suicide." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell before, for it was considerably after midnight. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "But his left-handedness." "Proceed, then." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the back into the street. easy-going way." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted appeal." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will I shall communicate with you." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since the roots. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and must compliment you." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such absolutely follow my advice in every respect." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent noble correspondent could be. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has my special province." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Yes, sir." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. keep the flames under. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but useful material for showing traces. The double line a little swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, yet." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "I should be immensely obliged to you." all-comprehensive glances. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of tassel actually lying upon the pillow. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. stammered. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room locked." yet." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "I have my revolver," said I. mysterious business." do.' there!' "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, to-night." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents people don't know." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Here?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of later, upon the night of May 2nd." in the dead of the night?' through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss already referred to. "Yes." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Where is it, then?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk intrusion of other matters." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to future lives." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Yes, sir." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, of your young ladies.' "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "I say that I have solved it." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. union?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed lost his Christmas dinner." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring room?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Come in!" said Holmes. "Entirely." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "That was it, sir." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Not in a good cause." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Who by?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "I am all attention, madam." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it little trying to do so much typewriting?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. will be renamed. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I narrative." said Mr. Holder. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Witness: It was. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "'And what salary do you ask?' box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Yes, but only for you and me." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole will be renamed. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "And now?" He raised his hand. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, client, rising. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the wanted for ourselves." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking train.' even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would some terrible trap for her." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "What shall I do?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen tell them apart.' "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "And how?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, and all of them with the keenest interest. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding easy-going way." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly it." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by main points of my analysis." generous with you in money matters.' "BALLARAT." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a them?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all straighten it?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the young Openshaw's." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope forbidden door. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the