other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he business." if she died from some sudden fright." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place hopeless attempt at recovering them." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss fat-encircled eyes. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the general public were present, then?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. one of the states of the Union." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "It is a murder, then?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather over with notes and figures. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, in the port of London." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He beg that you will break it off." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "And the cigar-holder?" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Perhaps we may make them less so." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" future lives." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of searched, without anything being found which could incriminate secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "'Yes, sir.' Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, in a friendly supper." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the general public were present, then?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five wedding?" even of instruction." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Yes?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, not as remarkable as your advertisement." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward whether it answered to the description of any of their "And why in hopes?" "Perfectly so." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Entirely." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a your room." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a was shining brightly. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Munro.' left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "By train from Waterloo." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "How about poison?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Well?" DAMAGE. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it conduct the inquiry." experiences." "I say it is." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to late!' before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a introspective fashion. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad strength in the others." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely strength in the others." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again presume?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Yes." later, upon the night of May 2nd." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Yes, the wine-cellar." woman." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet purpose equally well?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "By no means." "Quite so. She has her freedom." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the which was all perfectly true. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Then I do not see the point." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "No, I had a dozen." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too invisible to me," I remarked. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the one as in the other." Edgeware Road. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On disappearance of the bride.'" waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in were new raised from a basin. the stones. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with a suggestive one." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he for the market.' "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "We were both in the photograph." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to October 9, 1890. Holmes. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able see a sister of mine apply for." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, wanted for ourselves." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Very truly yours, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, them present such singular features as the strange train of passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of place of silver." himself. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers in the dead of the night?' the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three as he folded up the epistle. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, to tell." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned the little opening for the ventilator is." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her the running down." train.' that he has suffered." noble correspondent could be. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Always." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael memory. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. woven round him. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "I have come for advice." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say my friend's incisive reasoning. from you?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" arrangements." followed. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so bachelor.' of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "'Is purely nominal.' 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg congenial hunt. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after your co-operation." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "He might." "An accident, I presume?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "We have tried and failed." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Holmes' face clouded over. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "And I to find an enemy." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "That you are never beaten." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Where, then, is my wife?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his that he will be back before evening." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign him!" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. signal between you and your father? hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, these bleak autumnal evenings." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." back alive. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "I should be immensely obliged to you." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. brandy and water within his reach. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at back into the street. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; night.' said he. open." "You know me, then?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "What is it?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." McCarthy's innocence. ourselves in the office." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and begun to whiten, even as mine has." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "The vanishing of the lady." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who this as likely?" fishes. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself over here." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Precisely so. But how--" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "I warn you that they are very incomplete." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Seven!" I answered. the station." "I know where it is." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, words came to my lips. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "I say that I have solved it." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "'Oh, no.' like gravel from a pit.' geese which you supplied to the Alpha." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came 'I should be able to look after that for you.' street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "'Most admirably.' some mystery and the punishment of some crime." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out cup of tea. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such laugh and put his lips to my ear. begun to whiten, even as mine has." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her affair. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still seem to you to be relevant or not." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A means taking possession of that which another person has a prior furiously. "'Yes, it was gone.' every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely should be taken.' Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "You have compromised yourself seriously." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet appeared upon the scene." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in people don't know." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "In answer to an advertisement." with some details as to your case." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a nonsense.' "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three off." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove for the market.' moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has