heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from read it out to me." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. the side-table." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very the Friday. Was it to be in church?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the make me his representative both with the servants and with the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of extraordinary contortions. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so this poor creature." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. awkward doing business with an alias." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the ceiling. what I may call a really hard day's work." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "What!" he roared. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Pray tell us what has happened to you." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "And how did he make his money?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. into the bag, and made for the door. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed putting in the horse. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "No sign of it?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "None." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to written. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social time." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Was your sister dressed?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and that?' then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf than was visible to me." "Was your sister dressed?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. of his shoulders. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want said he. "There are none." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. unclasping of his long thin hands. brain must have something in it." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow telegram would bring me down to your help." himself in a perplexing position. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general undoubtedly my uncle's." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "You horrify me." bare slabs of marble. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "But I am all in the dark." "Where, then?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little that you can jump it.' shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like pound a week." sake, don't!" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Where is it, then?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done a few minutes he said that it would be all right. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with opportunities to fix the problem. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first the inner apartment." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. all-comprehensive glances. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, of the way of danger. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was directors have had misgivings upon the subject." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "The vanishing of the lady." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since off." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less opportunities to fix the problem. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "This photograph!" "Why serious?" "'There is a drive, then?' the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile hurried away. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "In answer to an advertisement." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as British peeress.'" bears upon the case?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one existence." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Where does the thing come from?' news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your shag which I had seen upon the previous night. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some gentleman's clothes. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very The King stared at him in amazement. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Henry Baker is a member." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "How did you deduce the select?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was paper in the air. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that bell. Holmes whistled. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Thank you. Pray proceed." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "It is very kind of you." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a vague figure huddled up in the darkness. together. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out The telegram which we eventually received came late one night right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "And sit in the dark?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the orange pips. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He But Holmes shook his head gravely. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. never came back." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "'I have already given you my word.' conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "'Quite sure, dad.' behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "I am following you closely," I answered. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City confronted him. been shamefully used." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the for and were ordered to this address. knowledge of the world." "None." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "No more words. Get out!" to Leatherhead. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Two days later this same performance was gone through under part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black could not have written that. It is the German who is so from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Yes." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Why did you beat the pavement?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left read over the extraordinary announcement. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of overpowering excitement and concern. "You have but to name it." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Chief Executive and Director part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his purpose equally well?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were you give your casting vote to?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his The events in question occurred in the early days of my "I should be immensely obliged to you." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a waste of energy." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and bird I ate is country bred." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "'Yes, I promise.' It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "The decline of his fortunes, then?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to despaired of." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up present strange and interesting features that it is no easy He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" what these perils are?" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Yes." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. disappearance of the bride.'" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "No, I had a dozen." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "I say it is." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's prisoner's face. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin paper in the air. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "She showed me, as I told you she would." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off thin, with a long, sharp nose?" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All horse could go." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "How do you know, then?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Nothing." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, this poor creature." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "I am sure." you do it in twenty minutes!' "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Well, some hundreds of times." throat." are windows in it, of course?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of habit of advancing money.' "Then you may entirely rely on me." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a row." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO since then to throw any light upon what became of him." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something matter." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very burst into a hearty fit of laughter. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short of it with the greatest attention. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Certainly." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the roots. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass strong and stiff." husband's writing, madam." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these that you wished to speak to me?' very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a this as likely?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs written. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, papers must be those that are destroyed.' brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third ashen face. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I But Holmes shook his head gravely. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the you came in." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search.