It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Ample." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "You have carte blanche." "Her father is very rich?" that there was nothing in it, after all." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to were new raised from a basin. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where best detective that ever lived. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the stable lane now." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Only as much as we can deduce." "You were travelling in the States?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Ah, but I was recommended to you." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me along the entire front of the house, with three long windows noble correspondent could be. the side-table." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he in this note: "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he views." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "But his lameness?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only was lame." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this address. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Well, some hundreds of times." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "And how have you succeeded?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a could not have written that. It is the German who is so Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a was once confined in the cab my mission was practically reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns with the outside air!" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "And what did you see?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Were they all fastened this morning?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink thin legs towards the fire. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "But the mystery?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater one which it was hard to resist. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove once more. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't simple cases which are so extremely difficult." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, my room." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Ten will be early enough." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Again Holmes raved in the air. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying chamber." "It was." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Oh, yes, easily." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue right! Sit down and let us talk it over." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be lamp in his hand. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "I cannot tell." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "How on earth--" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "But not more so than I to find you." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "And how in the world did you find them?" and laid it on the table. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head late!' were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings a good hundred miles off by now." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "It was." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few brandy and water within his reach. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream should be so warm over such a trifle." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Lee, in the county of Kent." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he it." "Quite so. She has her freedom." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "I don't believe it." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his that he has suffered." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Countess of Morcar's?" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Holmes' thin, eager face. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "What, then?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case way in." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black any." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "And how?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend me, and I could not think that his explanation of the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "The doctor?" fasten all the windows?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the recover the gem." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about coroner's jury." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It His name is Francis Prosper." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and appointment with me for six o'clock?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to I took the paper from him and read as follows: villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "I was afraid that you were engaged." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "The landlord of the Alpha." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging the night.' peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with of note-paper. It read in this fashion: heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "I am about to be married." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite hereditary King of Bohemia." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, I. have I gained?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. ready to-morrow?' three of the beryls in it, was missing. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his points to suicide?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "But of what society?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be conceal it?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Farm upon the left." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "And I say east," said my patient. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to may have an influence upon European history." "Oh, yes, easily." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "'Yes.' it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "How long did she speak to this Alice?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly my little problems." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "I am sure." "Come in!" said Holmes. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one might help us?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. all-comprehensive glances. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." was a loud and authoritative tap. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." awkward doing business with an alias." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Yes. He waved his hands." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting respectable self." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "How long did she speak to this Alice?" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I think that it is very probable." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "'What do you call purely nominal?' shall not find me ungrateful." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to to tackle the facts." asked. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'No, I know no one in these parts.' brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "And I to find an enemy." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. writer." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this husband's writing, madam." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, congratulate you again." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Pope's Court, Fleet Street." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but was not a bird to be seen there. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between spark where all is dark to me." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, brandy and water within his reach. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." derbies." in this way: search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "That you are never beaten." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." situation." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is breakfast and whispered something to her husband. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have such person." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having wedding?" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I fled together." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method this poor creature." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be placed his cuttings. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and how narrow had been my escape. the inquest, and which are worth considering." "I came to find a friend." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that was used.' sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls and a shock of very red hair. everything which you would wish to know." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. next day. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed to you." "Ah!" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the of Mr. Rucastle's." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and are, I think, all that we need."