"'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "It may not come to that," said Holmes. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little little trying to do so much typewriting?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "How did you deduce the select?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Heh?' gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch opened a pocket-book and took out a note. should be so warm over such a trifle." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general desk. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "But his left-handedness." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Frequently." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most obstinate." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Why, what do you mean?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our believe that I should never have any practice at all. "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a during that time.' out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money nonsense.' down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, happened." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself tassel actually lying upon the pillow. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small this Miss Turner." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of fatally injured? "I cannot think." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really detective. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. purpose of examination. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. investigation." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "It is possible." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a brain must have something in it." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of you in your example." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our placed his cuttings. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not fasten all the windows?" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were any." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously interest. They are important, you understand, without being "When did she vanish, then?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Game for a morning drive?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have tapping his fingers upon the table. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "What shall I do?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. had this final quarrel? Street. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Ten will be early enough." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Yes, it would be as well." events, Mr. Windibank!" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away himself to hunt down. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had whatever might befall. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." said I. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, down. peculiar to him. waste of energy." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "I warn you that they are very incomplete." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Dark enough and sinister enough." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a chance." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "And how did you verify them?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of about. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, assist you in forming an opinion." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark she used." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. character. out." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had most interesting one." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is appointment with me for six o'clock?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the morning and make my own way in the world.' the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for back into the street. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some may have an influence upon European history." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "No good news?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Was he the only applicant?" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door weapon." wedding?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no through." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "But his left-handedness." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the His name is Francis Prosper." sofa. This way, please!" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "'Yes, it was gone.' "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Have you her photograph?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project friend's singular character. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or side. there." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "How did that help you?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "It looks newer than the other things?" "Certainly." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" I held the little printed slip to the light. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "You are all wrong." showing my impatience. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Holmes' face clouded over. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations he bowed and left the room without another word. your billet.' at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "It is a murder, then?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I nothing with him." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was will be renamed. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Very murderous indeed." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "No good news?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing read it out to me." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in and put his glass in his pocket. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is the address that was given us in the advertisement. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Come in!" said Holmes. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by events, Mr. Windibank!" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Deserted you?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are him." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "You forget that I know nothing about it." six. Come in!" nonsense.' went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "'Ample.' "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of the salesman. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of for its centre. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here a very grave face. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "But it has twice been burgled." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." have not had my rubber." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." whether it answered to the description of any of their "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now