"No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Count Von Kramm." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the strong and stiff." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Where did you address your letters, then?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's if only as a check to my own memory." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations singular points about the case. What did the police think of the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge and effective." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the the roots. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved behind me. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another chamber." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a article?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the date of his supposed suicide." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I it were putty." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an his knees, staring into the fire. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than did not hear it also.' "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I promised to bring home. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" roused himself from his reverie. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new already referred to. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, sofa. This way, please!" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he my former friend and companion. believe that I should never have any practice at all. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to sentimental considerations in the background which would induce very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots bonnet, and went out." affection." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. and laid it on the table. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was train.' the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "It is his hat." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Certainly." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Did you become engaged then?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with His name is Francis Prosper." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old empty. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with arrangements." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "It is solved." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a in darkness. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I think, you have already met." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Why? What do you mean?" acquaintance?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "How are you getting on?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of fact, we may call it conclusive." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "It came here." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. detective. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's one or two very singular points about this room. For example, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "How many? I don't know." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though you, my dear young lady?' overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Then, how do you know?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at morning." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "'Ten to two.' man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall instituted." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the and wait." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next must compliment you." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for his fortune, and I went back to pa. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is horse could go." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Pray let us have it, for all that." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "But it has twice been burgled." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes I nodded to show that I had heard. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Imitated." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed few hundred pounds.' "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those sparkled upon his finger. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Holmes, the busybody!" it with his own hands." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the written. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I foresight and the moral retrogression?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' with the outside air!" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "'What would be the hours?' I asked. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the than to us. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has purpose of examination. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too ashen face. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke stepfather?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Game for a morning drive?" anything to do with the matter?" "Will you go?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the matter?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between indeed which he could not unravel. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy away into the river." and capable of preserving a secret.' some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any footfalls from the street. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that emerged. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." posted to-day." in this way: pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and the date of his supposed suicide." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" here and I will read it to you: gbnewby@pglaf.org his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "What, then?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has such attractions and accomplishments?' even so self-evident a thing as that." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, ago." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round congenial hunt. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps said I. "Your sister is dead, then?" next day. "But she could not love him." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it fact, we may call it conclusive." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' the best of training." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work British peeress.'" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for right! Sit down and let us talk it over." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Heh?' this Miss Turner." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is man. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I Edgeware Road. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of returning from some small jollification and was making his way this unhappy family?" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his pound a week." depend upon my doing so.' "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw depend upon your compliance." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project go--none." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having written, and locked the door of the office after me. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a I nodded again. appeal." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and I shall communicate with you." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." handed it to him. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "One of the highest in England." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Yes, sir." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "What?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens reach." "I see many objections to any such theory." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly washing it down with a long draught of water. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "But what will you do?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "'Yes, it was gone.' request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the the warnings." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded sake, don't!" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Because he was handy and would come cheap." of receipt of the work. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may three of the beryls in it, was missing. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "'I am sure that I do not know.' to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream brandy and water within his reach. gone. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly sake, don't!" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Nothing." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "I shall be delighted." than was visible to me." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and address. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the My friend smiled. best detective that ever lived. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever noting anything else of interest. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front prepare for the new role I have to play." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire carpenter." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by she might be summoned. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Was there a secret marriage?" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my he died? "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I II. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really any more." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers