of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, here." the matter." weapon." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and row." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, the station." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the be.' any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be learned something! Where are the gems?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you amused." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his see a sister of mine apply for." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more hopeless attempt at recovering them." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "What, then?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, over part of the map. "What do you read?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic fattened it expressly for you.' "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy you." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "We must have a cab." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. it means?" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the driver. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. and no precautions can guard against." horse could go." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "To an English lawyer named Norton." nothing of it?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have you." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was weighed down with some great anxiety. "Look there!" said he. papers must be those that are destroyed.' silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the coroner come to?" article?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of himself to hunt down. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two third from London." "Won't it ring?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and I nodded to show that I had heard. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send way: forehead. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. upon the white wrist. "But his lameness?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "I will not look." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Proceed, then." "The best possible." roused himself from his reverie. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One round with crates and massive boxes. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "I say that I have solved it." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you was lame." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, the driver. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "That is also quite modern," said the lady. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made said I. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "How did that help you?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. confronted him. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "'Quite sure, dad.' have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon to take care of herself." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Stoke Moran." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes him. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, politicians who had been sent down from the North. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "You horrify me." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the the night.' staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "'What then?' I asked. "Yes, he did." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Here?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my may never be exposed to such a temptation." you in yours." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more read it out to me." said Mr. Holder. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Certainly." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who nice household for a young lady." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Holmes, the busybody!" breakfast?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. one which it was hard to resist. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, experiences." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was to-morrow." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Nothing?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "And how in the world did you find them?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, about here speaks of his kindness to him." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to friend's singular character. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. way in everything. Heh?' attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "But I am all in the dark." this remarkable episode. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Nothing." "Married! When?" waste of energy." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an experiences." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "I am all attention, madam." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "None." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own I am not easy in my mind about them." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man brain must have something in it." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through photograph?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; disappearance of these gems?" his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a be.' way in everything. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again know what is wrong with it.' slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who later, upon the night of May 2nd." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "You have it, sir, just as it happened." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a one which it was hard to resist. constraint." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very carpenter." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations them present such singular features as the strange train of lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "I have my revolver," said I. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party all?" the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened orange pips. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had compunction about shooting them down." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such that I can to serve you." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "But who is he?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not I have it here in my museum." your room." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the station." "'Then let me do so?' "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. followed. his grey eyes. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Who was the criminal, then?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "I think that it is very probable." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "An accident, I presume?" "Ample." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and jewels which you have stolen?' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in really the only notable feature about the thing." "What is it, then--a fire?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the where we are going." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "No." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "'What, the red-headed man?' case-book, which he consulted. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Then I do not see the point." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." bonnet, and went out." several quiet little villages up there." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical way: through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Holmes. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, vault. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it During two years I have had three consultations and one small "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Game for a morning drive?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had business." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of to me. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" it means?" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you to tackle the facts." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have his cane at the bell-pull. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something is acting for the best. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your emerged. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "No, I think that I'll take it." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Serpentine Avenue. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make at home. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." II. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could interests were the same as his." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and of the one which your family is now devouring." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you of." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. he bowed and left the room without another word. "Pray let us have it, for all that." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Were they all fastened this morning?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet."