at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in memory. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Nothing?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "You'll never persuade me to believe that." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter your most interesting statement." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa upon the white wrist. occurred." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. What do you deduce from it?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or might help us?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'What then?' I asked. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what some mystery and the punishment of some crime." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood your Highness to the police-station?" works. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are hurried away. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "The landlord of the Alpha." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Two days later this same performance was gone through under exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in derbies." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "And you thought he was pulled back?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall me upon any point which I do not make clear." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit trying to your nerves." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "This concluded the examination of the witness." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was with some details as to your case." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her electronic works and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! lumber-room." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Pray let us have it, for all that." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was lost his Christmas dinner." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it had no one to advise her at such a crisis." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, train.' "It certainly sounds feasible." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Oh, the cause is excellent!" what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains your most interesting statement." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found My friend smiled. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "My dear Holmes!" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour remarked. when your master had gone out." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "'Why that?' I asks. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "'Most admirably.' "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with to surprise her." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a I leave." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of might help us?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' bed dies. Does not that strike you?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had ago." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with secret." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, humiliation." followed. returning from some small jollification and was making his way correct than the official force." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the warnings." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Awake, Watson?" he asked. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. I leave." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among national property. I was determined that the law should have its goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will direction." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Yes." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "What can you not understand?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. ourselves in the office." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in any little problem which you may submit to me." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "I assure you that I am in your hands." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "So it appears." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Frequently." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was American. Then who could this American be, and why should he to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the conceal it?" wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "'Yes, sir.' "Do you know him?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "And what then?" the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "I will not look." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own presume?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here and I shall be with you presently." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the said I. the south-west, I see." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Has he come with you to-night?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that burst out into a roar of laughter. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a not, dad?" she asked. stood on the top of it. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "No more words. Get out!" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Yes, certainly." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I closing the door. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the tragedy. "The rest you will leave in our hands." "And how did he make his money?" "Witness: Nothing definite. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' like gravel from a pit.' some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his from you?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Do you go out much in society?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Why, what do you mean?" upon an income of about 60 pounds." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and very peculiar words of the dying woman?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in your own bird, so if you wish--" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the nice household for a young lady." depend upon my doing so.' "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called weapon." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary rooms." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "We must sit without light. He would see it through the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "It missed him, then?" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." gentleman's clothes. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present stepfather?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "But what harm can there be in that?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, six. Come in!" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "I do." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true up this clue while it is still hot." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door whereabouts. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your have accepted such a situation. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to fatally injured? five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and new acquaintance to Baker Street. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you before, for it was considerably after midnight. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down lamp. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a since then to throw any light upon what became of him." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was national property. I was determined that the law should have its words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to developed." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, been deceived." "And now?" I asked. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have