smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "'Oh, no.' "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." that I am arrested." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Entirely." "Yes?" said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, some water from a caraffe. pound a week." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close politicians who had been sent down from the North. man. I know him from the photograph." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has for and were ordered to this address. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I like gravel from a pit.' his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "I am armed." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible IS have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "No. His orders were to stay in the house." charged with?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "How did that help you?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "'Yes.' doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that I shall communicate with you." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during have I gained?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the have an American origin." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that all-comprehensive glances. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered License. You must require such a user to return or you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door were unconscious?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is mystery." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "How about poison?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed during the last few years, and there are many noble families to dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the never came back." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of once more on the important position which you have been fortunate would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided back alive. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "When did it break out?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Then what has happened to him?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done jewels which you have stolen?' "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Holmes' thin, eager face. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with details." it." good for you to do.' Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "I don't say that. Perhaps." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a placed his cuttings. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet come either from the window or the door. My attention was bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow could gather together that I was able to avert another public took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Yes, they were peculiar boots." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "That you are never beaten." here and I will read it to you: form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the general public were present, then?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Frequently." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Pray do so." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such minor matters until to-morrow." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "You horrify me!" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His mystery." "To ruin me." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, observed. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "What, then?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "That you are never beaten." and a shock of very red hair. question. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." obstinate." Holmes rather sternly. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "What can it mean?" I gasped. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "No?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on James Windibank. Voilà tout!" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it yet." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Not particularly." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally matter." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, John Swain, of St. Augustine. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "That is it on the dressing-table." "What, then?" very old mansion. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the writing, and yet I know it well." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen reach." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I notes," he said. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage carpenter." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." him." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I discontent upon his features. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment do.' saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in if she died from some sudden fright." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "He might." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Lee, in the county of Kent." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we clang of the bell. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Gutenberg-tm License. "'Oh, no.' "But you can know nothing of this?" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Yes, all." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." was a perfect sample of the class. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon that you can jump it.' reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "I will try. What is it?" "Holmes, the busybody!" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, to a more successful conclusion." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of place no limit on the sum I may draw." "It missed him, then?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate ordinary clothes on?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Yes, sir." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Yes." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Well?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable of your young ladies.' "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that me where it went to?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited the date of his supposed suicide." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Come in!" said he. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing arms and began to sob in a high treble key. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, once more to my work. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, any little problem which you may submit to me." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves call you and give you the chance." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "But not more so than I to find you." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Not I." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson during which he might have communicated with his friend the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of there were one or two details which were new to me. But the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor enter into my head. keep the flames under. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start murdered man." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'I have already given you my word.' last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "'Which dealer's?' Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "She will not sell." of receipt of the work. drawing your inferences." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall you found me to-night--and running through the front room she that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the coronet in his hand?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite handed it to him. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more points in connection with it which never have been, and probably and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was have an American origin." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to depend upon your compliance." you in yours." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the points to suicide?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an most important business. It is probable that he will be away all it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "No?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of other lovers by making love himself." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. house for five minutes.' assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "I cannot tell." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door both be extremely obliged.' "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "But of what society?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' than to us. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society occurred." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "How on earth--" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in man. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your beyond words. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "At half-wages, in fact." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger