was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution your room." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Can I be of assistance?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, maiden herself was most instructive." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' and the church but not where the lady lived." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "And what then?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed 1.F. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "But his lameness?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his matter." she might be summoned. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty one of the states of the Union." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is said he. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was she has been waylaid. There has been no result." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried But Holmes shook his head gravely. business in the City. She little knew what. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There The telegram which we eventually received came late one night bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as as he folded up the epistle. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "But how did you gain them?" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "VIOLET HUNTER." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Where to?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Proceed, then." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. be there in time for your coming." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem that I can to serve you." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "That is possible." "Stoke Moran?" said he. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE cigars in the box." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Ah!" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which there were one or two details which were new to me. But the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "By train from Waterloo." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." said he. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." note?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has that there was nothing in it, after all." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy cost them two and thirty pounds." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "I shall be delighted." acted in my house last night?" and effective." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Does that suggest anything?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them crowd. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "His face fell immediately. man. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and said he at last. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "'What then?' I asked. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They call the police, let the police find what they can.' has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? derbies." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "And is that all?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate fattened it expressly for you.' "Certainly." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling orange pips. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no one of them." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy served to weaken the effect. had formerly been in part my own. "This photograph!" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that be sorry for having acted so harshly." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is instincts rose up against that laugh. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were have established a very serious case against the son of the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the so-precious time, but come!' "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets will be renamed. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined secret." you came in." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set friend's singular character. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, depend upon my doing so.' is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more 1.F. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What me. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done better grown goose." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My have had none more fantastic than this." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon empty. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which green of the new foliage. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Why? What do you mean?" dates and names. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch confronted him. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a any little problem which you may submit to me." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Did he not advertise?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has country, and eventually married, without anyone having a used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the strength of mind to control. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped presume?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left burst out into a roar of laughter. infinite languor in his face. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. time." beyond words. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so conduct the inquiry." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the towards the blaze. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a to have been novel and of interest." meant." "He said too much." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain hands. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "It is possible." "Very much so." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "In San Francisco, a year ago." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes daring than any effort of the imagination." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as of Fenchurch Street." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "What! You do not mean bodies?" everything which you would wish to know." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. said I. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known to change my dress. "But what harm can there be in that?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George kind enough to tell me what I should do." "ARAT," I read. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with key of the affair now." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it be.' "By no means." copied or distributed: chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And arrangements." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the and a shock of very red hair. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "You saw the ventilator, too?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "An accident, I presume?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew success. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the it." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." note?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions province." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Yes, from Horsham." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "None." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be call it cruel." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he our word." extraordinary contortions. may never be exposed to such a temptation." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, one's self under obligations.' "'I am sure that I do not know.' of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "We were both in the photograph." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to is now desirous of getting those letters back." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and with you?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If goes." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of appeared upon the scene." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must fishes. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them chemical work which was so dear to him. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell brandy and water within his reach. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would four million human beings all jostling each other within the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "And what did you see?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the lips." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and remarked. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich fait accompli?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Pray do so." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Very well, sir. And this stone?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat recover the gem." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not which are rolled in Rotterdam." him. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their beyond words. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to overpowering excitement and concern. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "You were travelling in the States?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Munro.' Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "So I am. Very much so."