"I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his for and were ordered to this address. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the be.' the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man awaited us upon the table. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went *** START: FULL LICENSE *** wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his and effective." of campaign. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "'What then?' I asked. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "And who is her maid?" been with you?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "What, then?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you gigantic client. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" respectable self." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." to have been novel and of interest." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Where to?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head who was a member of your goose club." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything husband's writing, madam." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he may never be exposed to such a temptation." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the out of this horrible affair." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside could not account in any way for the presence of the missing attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "I cannot tell." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going which we had just quitted. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Then you may be so with me." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "His face fell immediately. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "I would give my fortune to have them back." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I over part of the map. "What do you read?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Yes." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong friend's singular character. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "'Quite sure, dad.' the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Then how many are there?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project occupations.' across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Certainly, madam." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "What! a murderous attack?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Nothing." train.' considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until when you have done it." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of relation between them, and what the object of his repeated him." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a returned to France?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "And why?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter conversation I have gathered that they have been married about ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "We must sit without light. He would see it through the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. would apply.' some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. standing smiling on the door-step. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "No." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic room had already been engaged for us. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "But the mystery?" "Was your sister dressed?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who minor matters until to-morrow." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Then he might have called to you?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Nothing?" miles off. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a him nearly every evening." "To the police?" "My last client of the sort was a king." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Murdered?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it was already answered. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "No sign of it?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. hour?' headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Very. But will he see it?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out chance at all." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off done what I asked you, Jones?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the at my remark. was keenly on my guard against him. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and American. Then who could this American be, and why should he not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear and all of them with the keenest interest. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "That you are never beaten." were wasted." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a nonsense.' "To an end?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs as he folded up the epistle. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But conceal it?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "You are hungry," I remarked. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, that you can jump it.' "And how did you find out?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I me. You must get home instantly and act." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Eyford at 11:15.' drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and as noiselessly as she had come. rooms." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert During two years I have had three consultations and one small very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "He is still with you, I presume?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I The note was undated, and without either signature or address. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which fattened it expressly for you.' then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return always that they were such commands as a lady might with "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "What do you make of that, Watson?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, visitors." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Of Friday, June 19th." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the more terrible than the truth. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence meanly of me." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of crowd. disturbance in my wife." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put tell him that I know him to be innocent." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Where, then?" Again Holmes raved in the air. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Yes, that is the Crown." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Yes, all." "My dear Holmes!" his fortune, and I went back to pa. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Where does the thing come from?' "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Yes." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "I would give my fortune to have them back." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "It's nothing of the kind." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "In the cells." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Where did you address your letters, then?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Pray continue your narrative." own family. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair cigars in the box." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and outside." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who easy-going way." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. dramatic, in fact." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "No." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Tired-looking or fresh?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing points to suicide?" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Never to return." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "I do." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it suddenly upon us." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "But to whom?" less than 26s. 4d. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "'Yes, sir.' "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his been able to understand it, in a very few words. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, forehead. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless