companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Yes." matters immensely." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "At the wedding breakfast." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Only as much as we can deduce." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a himself to tell his story. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the what these perils are?" Arthur Conan Doyle real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, power." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "What then?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from away into the river." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded six. Come in!" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of gentleman's clothes. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the carried out of court." "Perhaps I have." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, The events in question occurred in the early days of my they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in them, and came down just as you departed. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Your French gold?" walking." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the coronet in his hand?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "No bad?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "The decline of his fortunes, then?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful me." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "That sounds a little paradoxical." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. down. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was again before evening." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the little opening for the ventilator is." once more. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Watson," he said cordially. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Witness: It was. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." man. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against you found me to-night--and running through the front room she fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some trying to your nerves." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "I am all attention, madam." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Which are?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must fish-monger and a tide-waiter." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which carpenter." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "In answer to an advertisement." retorted upon me, and I on you." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he from you?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual night.' said he. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "What then?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "What do you make of that, Watson?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, there has been an enclosure here!" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. side. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "'Yes, sir.' eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His neither fascinating nor artistic." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our a little more before I quite committed myself. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. me where it went to?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'Is 4 pounds a week.' He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw details should find their way into the papers. Inspector explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He before the coroner and the police-court." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer shall not find me ungrateful." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his been." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent recall any case within my experience which looked at the first hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his posted to-day." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was happened." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. was a loud and authoritative tap. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Not I." own family. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I man. I know him from the photograph." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, never will be, entirely cleared up. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "No." roused himself from his reverie. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six directors, with the result that you have seen." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the cigars in their mouths. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Mary, has deserted me." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "She told me to ask you." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our amused." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and vanished into the darkness. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "The murder was done with it." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the coat-tails." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." could go. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Where to?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' comes from the middle window." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I and your relations to her." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." October 9, 1890. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Never." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it ways of our fellow-men." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Never." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be fluttered off among the others. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "No, I am descending." handed it to him. "I am armed." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an States. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he hands. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "BALLARAT." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "And how did you verify them?" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more there were one or two details which were new to me. But the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that assist you in forming an opinion." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which affection." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I other, as fresh and trim as possible. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men October 9, 1890. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "I think that it is very probable." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "VIOLET HUNTER." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at there has been an enclosure here!" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have his fortune, and I went back to pa. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to test if we have an answer to our advertisement." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Two days later this same performance was gone through under test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless excitement. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "That's no good." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Why serious?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall prepare for the new role I have to play." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "No, my brougham is waiting." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to from you?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a second window is the one that I jumped from." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "But his lameness?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few 'please.'" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "What I expected to see." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "No good news?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. passage and a tap at the door. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "To an end?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "'Entirely.' and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a past. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it For additional contact information: for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or were wasted." meant it for the best. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "But we can't all be." be there in time for your coming." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Leave Paddington by the 11:15." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it I have it here in my museum." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and questioning and rather startled gaze. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "No sign of it?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the that you wished to speak to me?' "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was there!' surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must with you alone." awaited us upon the table. placed his cuttings. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "No, I had a dozen." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The my friend's incisive reasoning. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall correct than the official force." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside and put his glass in his pocket. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Really! You surprise me." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting man. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a