our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. evidence," I remarked. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Of what day?" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when you for a few hours?" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to that I can to serve you." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "'Never,' said I. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious exactly what you advise." "How can you tell that?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; morning." too. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "In what way?" asked Holmes. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the out of this horrible affair." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "On Monday." "To the police?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Perfectly so." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "And is that all?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "What have you to say now?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "It is no ordinary one." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction one's self under obligations.' scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They once more on the important position which you have been fortunate envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. figure." "Will you go?" annoyance, but no jest. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the passage and a tap at the door. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The case-book, which he consulted. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." paper in the air. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw will not take me long to tell. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life of campaign. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "But not more so than I to find you." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of guilty parties." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search where we are going." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get your sleep?' Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "The doctor?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Entirely." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his and laid it on the table. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is breakfast?" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Did your wife hear all this?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' get the tickets." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a have I gained?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "'Is purely nominal.' "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there nothing of it?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in until night should bring an explanation. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive retorted upon me, and I on you." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm until night should bring an explanation. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and wife's character?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "To the police?" Edgeware Road. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Yes, sir." felt?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Well, it is a possible supposition." "You think that he is dead?" "I am armed." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Come in!" said he. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Ample." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," felt the room to be a little close.' is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear a few minutes he said that it would be all right. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "'Which dealer's?' my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the date of his supposed suicide." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the matter." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has during that time.' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "But how could you guess what the motive was?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "It's nothing of the kind." "I have come for advice." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "I think that it is very probable." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a must be when I saw the door open.' of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many house for five minutes.' "Certainly." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's at my remark. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal became a certainty. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were cup of tea. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "I should be immensely obliged to you." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always anything to a woman, for she would have her way." colour had been driven from his face. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City where Mr. Fordham shows you.' station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a whole matter to your consideration." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" get her out of the way." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the cost them two and thirty pounds." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped six. Come in!" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "And you don't know his address?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Yes." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser fashion which was peculiar to him. interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off fishes. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we of your young ladies.' late." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the companion imperturbably. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Yes?" fatally injured? delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' bears upon the case?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more gives a meaning to it." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "I assure you that I am in your hands." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever room had already been engaged for us. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "You did not overhear what they said?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical respectable self." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, mysterious business." look upon these things in a different way." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Yes." was already answered. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is his huge brown hands. "Why did you beat the pavement?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry prisoner's face. "'About the same.' electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "That is easily got." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. persecution?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking against a man in the prime of life?" "Game for a morning drive?" young Openshaw's." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the just ask you whether you had heard it.' after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a ordinary clothes on?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "He is dead," cried several voices. this remarkable episode. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and tassel actually lying upon the pillow. security.' remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "In which, sir?" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I shall be delighted." to change my dress. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before your sleep?' harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "I have seen the police." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made that there was nothing in it, after all." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty and shall probably return to London by the evening train." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Not social, then?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you client, rising. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "On your arm?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Look there!" said he. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson imbecility!" he cried. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "I was certainly surprised to find you there." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease.