Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "'I am sure if I had known--' my secret was safe in his possession. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the stable lane now." the side-table." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "A client, then?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets crowd. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some weapon." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "It is possible." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, dear old homesteads?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's fatally injured? crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Have you it here?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Because he was handy and would come cheap." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "And sit in the dark?" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of lips." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you awkward doing business with an alias." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a to talk it over. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such for securing the situation." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Precisely." excitement. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a right! Sit down and let us talk it over." his knees, staring into the fire. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few into her hand at the door and which lured her within their thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Do you go out much in society?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Was your sister dressed?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from nothing of it?" here." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Cross for the Continent." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which to Leatherhead. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "I have a cab outside." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? your co-operation." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in there has been an enclosure here!" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is when your master had gone out." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any retorted upon me, and I on you." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign question," said Holmes, smiling. young Openshaw's." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making your room." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening furiously. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Not particularly." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty that he has suffered." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such only touch the interest." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. few hundred pounds.' leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in begun to whiten, even as mine has." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Thank you. Pray proceed." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Not particularly." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "None." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Precisely so. But how--" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second his eyes and forehead. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "And what then?" "'Where could I find him?' fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Then, how do you know?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for when you have done it." this man was intellectual?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Entirely." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "It is no ordinary one." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their to that open window." Street. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding are, and they are waiting for us." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the window, rose as we entered. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper forbidden door. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a what these perils are?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. and laid it on the table. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Certainly." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "My photograph." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past on re-entering her father's house?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "And it is--" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an this truth that in these little records of our cases which you home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "You are hungry," I remarked. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I was mad--insane." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently writers could invent nothing more crude." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of delirious. "I fear not." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the thin legs towards the fire. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "But you have hopes?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "I know where it is." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, is acting for the best. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature woman." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "And now?" I asked. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "'I have already given you my word.' said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "No, but the enclosure is." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and McCarthy." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "My last client of the sort was a king." leaning back in his chair. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I was already answered. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of writers could invent nothing more crude." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version to have that photograph." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "No, I think that I'll take it." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the stable lane now." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying This is what he says: and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there directly by questioning you." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "The murder was done with it." "'Which dealer's?' depend upon your compliance." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "It is half-past ten now." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of relief. room had already been engaged for us. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his outbreak?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he visitors." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "'Quite sure, dad.' which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it thought that she would have been so carried away." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" upon the shelf for the interim." be. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Mrs. Toller serenely. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by you do it in twenty minutes!' father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; fishes. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. which was all perfectly true. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "What can it mean?" I gasped. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "By train from Waterloo." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he been shamefully used." developed." flock.' face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "To the police?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. closing the door. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." your troubles." fuss that is made over them." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" girl said." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless interested in these little problems, and since you are good "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a made him keep the appointment." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the companion. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands papers." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "And you thought he was pulled back?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and figure." Heh?' I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. went to the Alpha were town bred." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, against a man in the prime of life?"