in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door thin, with a long, sharp nose?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Street. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Only as much as we can deduce." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform door?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which definite end. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to room?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, comes from the middle window." "The gentleman I describe." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him I have it here in my museum." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who business in the City. She little knew what. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his it were putty." my special province." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear appeal." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, that "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted him. "Where did he live, then?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "How did you trace it, then?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Yes." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town States. plantation.' remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "But to whom?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the our word." during that time.' "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he there is a decided draught." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Of what day?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a meant it for the best. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my served to weaken the effect. "You horrify me!" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to breakfast?" "Your sister is dead, then?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "I am armed." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "What will you do, then?" copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative secret." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Where to?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, never to learn it at all." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I was once confined in the cab my mission was practically had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting that, and I came down." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he lamp. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case when you have done it." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had politicians who had been sent down from the North. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Frequently." again before evening." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "We must have a cab." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Always." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred into the bag, and made for the door. to Leatherhead. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was ways of our fellow-men." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no was already answered. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Not yet." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "And for present expenses?" speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue even so self-evident a thing as that." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur must compliment you." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we never came back." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would in darkness. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the very old mansion. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can was feeling which was the fattest.' "What! a murderous attack?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is strength of mind to control. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. yet." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "How did that help you?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' note?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "No bad?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'Which dealer's?' undoubtedly my uncle's." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands there were one or two details which were new to me. But the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing tied." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them or in danger--" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "What have you to say now?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope prove to be little relation between the different incidents of outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Holmes. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a but preventing her from injuring another. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "None." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up families. Now for the facts. as the one I chose?' it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of cigar and let me expound." enough to aid us in our search." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Where, then?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Tired-looking or fresh?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with copied or distributed: bears upon the case?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "It is a murder, then?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Who was the criminal, then?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Have you her photograph?" I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social national property. I was determined that the law should have its half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain depend upon your compliance." from the brougham. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Which are?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a to a more successful conclusion." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his giving me time to thank him. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight to take care of herself." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, this man was intellectual?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and the bed, and you in that chair." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys some water from a caraffe. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. strength in the others." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I see many objections to any such theory." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should people in all walks of life. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "You have the photograph?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never outside. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "But his left-handedness." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "It is very clear." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the had picked up in the wood. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Was she in good spirits?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. generous with you in money matters.' as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of miles off. business matters.' until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "What will you do, then?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the over with notes and figures. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "He disappeared so suddenly." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Dr. Becher's." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the been." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat It was close upon four before the door opened, and a distance from the station, and there we found the young lady accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought means taking possession of that which another person has a prior finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered begun to whiten, even as mine has." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in information in his hands the value of which he did not himself matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make strength of mind to control. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. would then never go into court at all." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' front of the hall door has given its name to the place. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "The Coroner: What do you mean? to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Has he come with you to-night?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis that the gas is not laid on in his house?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia IS Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, cigars in their mouths. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Street. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible discontent upon his features. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Then you may be so with me." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and hour." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith think that any burglar could have done. are, I think, all that we need."