transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that affection." his wife has ceased to love him." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Now, then, what's the last entry?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, when your master had gone out." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a come either from the window or the door. My attention was foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was tied." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a take the flies, but not before." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. an introduction to him?" I am not easy in my mind about them." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat woman." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "I cannot tell." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "I see no marks." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or get her out of the way." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled directors have had misgivings upon the subject." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off leave you to your papers for a little." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, I was concerned in it." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the highly," said Holmes. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Why did you beat the pavement?" delighted to hear it," he said. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a hurried by. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. room?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out nonsense.' Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Quite so." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." think that any burglar could have done. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for wedding?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from gone. placed his cuttings. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "This concluded the examination of the witness." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "And leave your case unfinished?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we tassel actually lying upon the pillow. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon said he, "my real name is James Ryder." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left key of the affair now." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend which I could not give. He asked for Alice. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my brain must have something in it." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to papers on the sundial.'" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is at home. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, make me his representative both with the servants and with the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a society." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the he bowed and left the room without another word. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, cup of tea. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further on re-entering her father's house?" "Then I am your man." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Certainly." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from depend upon your compliance." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "ARAT," I read. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my said Mr. Holder. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. forebodings. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. works. See paragraph 1.E below. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS that there was nothing in it, after all." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few chance." ourselves in the office." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece right! Sit down and let us talk it over." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "'No, I know no one in these parts.' do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the here and I will read it to you: should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Have you it here?" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Really! You surprise me." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "And now?" He raised his hand. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door redistribution. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." annoyance, but no jest. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. showing my impatience. hurried away. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of wedding?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "My photograph." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "She told me to ask you." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "A client, then?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but was not a bird to be seen there. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient it." "It surprised me." the stones. happened." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly careless servant girl?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some through." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my sparkled upon his finger. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Witness: Nothing definite. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "So I am. Very much so." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Yes?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "'Yes, sir.' point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the how narrow had been my escape. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "A greater distance to travel." just ask you whether you had heard it.' "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade him. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' there in twenty minutes." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "I cannot tell." http://www.gutenberg.net breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Get out!" said he. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "You are all wrong." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a without a word or a look. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "In San Francisco, a year ago." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell congenial hunt. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's searched, without anything being found which could incriminate deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "But his left-handedness." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "What are they?" key of the affair now." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "But we can't all be." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." easy-going way." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "'Yes, sir.' table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very four million human beings all jostling each other within the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped to surprise her." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you case before our client came into the room." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "We have tried and failed." secret." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "How often?" however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was of his shoulders. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "He said that you could solve anything." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "'Why that?' I asks. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I the coronet in his hand?" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "'And the work?' "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do think that he is innocent?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord a monotonous occupation." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "What have you done?" asked Holmes. the child." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Was there a secret marriage?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Pool. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I will, Miss Turner." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Leadenhall Street--and--" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! business?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "You horrify me!" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar