hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and place, I think that there is good ground to think that the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. remarked. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Have you it here?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared throat." "'Entirely.' access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Literary Archive Foundation "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip I held the little printed slip to the light. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "I should be immensely obliged to you." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that this poor creature." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Watson," he said cordially. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying security.' "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an six. Come in!" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the delighted to hear it," he said. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could the bottom.' bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I call you and give you the chance." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "'Entirely.' would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Mrs. Toller serenely. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your voice, changing her seat as requested. "What do you mean?" the loss of it. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well held up the lantern and gazed about him. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his I held the little printed slip to the light. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "So it appears." "Never." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other to-night." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. was keenly on my guard against him. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other and inquire as to the address." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "And sit in the dark?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Not I." is a common subject for conversation. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts it. "Who by?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was or other trace. But how on earth--" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall dates and names. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as case before our client came into the room." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. away into the river." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of in this way: "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and floor. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather ago." purpose equally well?" discontent upon his features. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the touch that coronet?' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Arthur Conan Doyle question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony go from here to the Strand." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the so-precious time, but come!' lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of of them has the shutters up.' "Where is it, then?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "But how will you look?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Nothing." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Proceed, then." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "I answered that I had not. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove forehead. Sutherland?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and only touch the interest." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know out of this horrible affair." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "And you thought he was pulled back?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. maid will bring up your coffee." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the tail." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates you, my dear young lady?' gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. soul! here is her carriage at the door." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates sentimental considerations in the background which would induce cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, wife's character?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Certainly." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. danger is over." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past overpowering excitement and concern. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "My dear Holmes!" habit of advancing money.' the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such meanly of me." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "'Yes, it was gone.' watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "You have the photograph?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a to go into your room and bar your shutters?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "By train from Waterloo." which we had just quitted. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. said Mr. Holder. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet business." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he of Mr. Rucastle's." of it with the greatest attention. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met it." there when the Rucastles went away." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare interests were the same as his." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a something of him before." "There is the writing." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold straighten it?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature through." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to be.' the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." bill, which interests me deeply." weighed down with some great anxiety. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my him!" stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the into the room. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Sutherland. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "When did she vanish, then?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "But you have hopes?" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for window when the police appeared." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "You horrify me!" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" the loss of it. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "What will you say?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting acquaintance?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. asked. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "No." the inquest, and which are worth considering." cigars in their mouths. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at must compliment you." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "But his lameness?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had said I. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and in his hands." door?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" gives a meaning to it." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on States. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Stolen." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Pope's Court. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can from you?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining presume?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "My dear Holmes!" redistribution. business." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "I am in hopes that she does." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "'I am sure that I do not know.' sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." outbreak?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of relief. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "In answer to an advertisement." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior if I call to-morrow?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire The King stared at him in amazement. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to III. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" his forehead." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Only as much as we can deduce." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "And did you observe any change in her then?" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns assist you in forming an opinion." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" heavily into it. in this note: and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "And help." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his laugh and put his lips to my ear. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the my room." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "It came here." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well less than 26s. 4d. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I people don't know." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous that old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I interests were the same as his." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and future lives." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing the best of training." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "He might." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our