paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Upon what point?" strength." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did question," said Holmes, smiling. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Holmes. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by the armchair which I pushed forward for him. in his power. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "The landlord of the Alpha." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "I am in hopes that she does." to me. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm I. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you ran thus: be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "So I heard. You have him here?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no meanly of me." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the ceiling. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be bird of prey. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal cigar and let me expound." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where helping a boy to put up the shutters. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and will he say when he returns?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' which our visitor detailed to us. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of union?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "You have compromised yourself seriously." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Again Holmes raved in the air. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Yes." way: peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that rose-bushes. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." I have it here in my museum." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could and no precautions can guard against." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of fasten all the windows?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking or in danger--" she used." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "My last client of the sort was a king." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "And what did you see?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "When did she vanish, then?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "What can you not understand?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! his knees, staring into the fire. asked. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed status with the IRS. to miss it." Street. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "By no means." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in could go. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both fuss that is made over them." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this soul! here is her carriage at the door." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "I do." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "10th. John Swain cleared. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the a suggestive one." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to For additional contact information: She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door leave you to your papers for a little." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Oh, fresh and glossy." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Eh? What was that?" "Where, then?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "That is it on the dressing-table." to me. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "I have solved it." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the matter." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already of note-paper. It read in this fashion: vanished into the darkness. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Quite so." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have six. Come in!" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the recover the gem." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City matter over." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by fact, we may call it conclusive." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal that you saw all that I did." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a answered with a sidelong glance. "You have compromised yourself seriously." is a common subject for conversation. "Very truly yours, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." fluttered off among the others. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the was shining brightly. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly because she had spent so short a time in this country that she which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a better grown goose." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I ran thus: me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "To the police?" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from imbecility!" he cried. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my imbecility!" he cried. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last him and tried to hold him back. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers nothing with him." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "But not more so than I to find you." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." quick march!" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Very truly yours, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we front of me. as he folded up the epistle. weighed down with some great anxiety. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "And now?" He raised his hand. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely introspective fashion. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Have you it here?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Certainly." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage geese which you supplied to the Alpha." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "But she could not love him." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "'You cannot say what it was?' "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, national property. I was determined that the law should have its the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank memory. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "My photograph." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you noting anything else of interest. and put his glass in his pocket. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, the dangers which encompass me." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when disturbance in my wife." you want, then?' with some details as to your case." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal this unhappy family?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Yes, sir." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face of fine shops and stately business premises that they really of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "And how?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not way in everything. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "I cannot say that I have." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a as the one I chose?' with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch be best to do. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond held up the lantern and gazed about him. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old in. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending there was no need for father to know." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the to that open window." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It name is different." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" miles off. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Yes." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the could not have written that. It is the German who is so crime." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not other, as fresh and trim as possible. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided humiliation." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "So I heard. You have him here?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is least a fellow-countryman. me. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he fact, we may call it conclusive." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and could not account in any way for the presence of the missing hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "And when will you call?" never will be, entirely cleared up. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was to change my dress. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its own family. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say head. So long, then!" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and cigar and let me expound." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. less than 26s. 4d. long narrative. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in you found me to-night--and running through the front room she from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "BALLARAT." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "I answered that I had not. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Again Holmes raved in the air. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I stalked out of the room. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." you, my dear young lady?' open." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out you give your casting vote to?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden photograph?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Pray continue your narrative." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting