upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa instituted." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "But what harm can there be in that?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "At the wedding breakfast." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this union?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no stalked out of the room. know that the truth is known." "What steps will you take?" I asked. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded to have that photograph." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly strange features which were associated with the two crimes which of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that allusion to a rat. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because fasten all the windows?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. which our visitor detailed to us. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of once more. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "'And the work?' "My last client of the sort was a king." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "I know where it is." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and that I may have something better before very many minutes are in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Won't it ring?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what all-comprehensive glances. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Why serious?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," meant." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you to a more successful conclusion." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project photograph?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to should be taken.' he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, ourselves in the office." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to hands. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "I guessed as much." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. villagers almost as much as their master. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Not in a good cause." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "What then?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the breakfast." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! business at Coburg Square is serious." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" a good hundred miles off by now." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "The Coroner: What do you mean? crime. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." definite end. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about nonsense.' feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the tragedy. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the house for five minutes.' right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean had picked up in the wood. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "What! a murderous attack?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is who was a member of your goose club." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and enough to aid us in our search." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight London for the present?" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my client, rising. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Imitated." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Won't it ring?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was think, you have already met." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Was she in good spirits?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram page at http://pglaf.org "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "She told me to ask you." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised me have 200 pounds?' and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "But I have heard all that you have heard." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "'In my own bureau.' corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "I say it is." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE against a man in the prime of life?" manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "It is possible." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "A thing like a cleaver," said he. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "No." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the suspect him." "But his left-handedness." breakfast?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. constraint." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm already referred to. just called myself is not exactly my own." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler be.' Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first some water from a caraffe. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." at home. were unconscious?" away into the river." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you bled considerably." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I in him." past. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the in this note: imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her been shamefully used." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and trifles." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was drove away. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I compunction about shooting them down." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be touch that coronet?' five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the door?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and and the whole place is in a blaze." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable were new raised from a basin. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. acquaintance?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this which are rolled in Rotterdam." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "My last client of the sort was a king." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "A greater distance to travel." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is in the port of London." following enigmatical notices: "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Yes." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed that I can to serve you." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Not in a good cause." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, coroner's jury." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "He said too much." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, if she died from some sudden fright." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Sutherland. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. posted to-day." strength of mind to control. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than indiscretion." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "I shall be delighted." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Upon what point?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his companion imperturbably. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had have I gained?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would very old mansion. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is of campaign. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet attention." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press not interfere, come what may. You understand?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed furiously. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was second." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds his forehead." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the next day. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "What then?" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the train.' in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "It must be recovered." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Entirely." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil a suggestive one." "One?" "Certainly." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where the salesman. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which trifles." look upon these things in a different way." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Lee, in the county of Kent." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Ah, but I was recommended to you." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? companion. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of least a most suspicious remark." the loss of it. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. should be taken.' glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as which I could not give. He asked for Alice. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "I cannot imagine." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who prisoner's face. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be know all about it," he snarled. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "And sit in the dark?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close be.' police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "And who is her maid?" "And how in the world did you find them?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in towards the blaze.