better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Again Holmes raved in the air. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, meanly of me." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He guilty one." "Certainly, madam." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. him." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Never." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "What! You do not mean bodies?" his wife has ceased to love him." "Yes." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "A call for help, you thought?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his of his shoulders. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Yes, but only for you and me." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some not personally threatened." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, writing, and yet I know it well." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "No." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Where, then?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" one of the states of the Union." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I assist you in forming an opinion." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the loss of it. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very fact, we may call it conclusive." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend John Swain, of St. Augustine. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to place of silver." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its will find little credit to be gained out of this case." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced fasten all the windows?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands other lovers by making love himself." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other four million human beings all jostling each other within the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever newspaper selections." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but to-morrow." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "We must sit without light. He would see it through the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "If so, much may have happened between." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any crackling voice. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us to-night's adventure." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." which was all perfectly true. which we had just quitted. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. cigars in their mouths. hair?' merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found address. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "And it is--" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by one of the states of the Union." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "'What do you call purely nominal?' "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. lamp in his hand. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the humiliation." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "But his lameness?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "It is possible." for and were ordered to this address. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the room while you explain this matter?" more solid." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "It is no ordinary one." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "How on earth--" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the wedding?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Dr. Becher's." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "But you can know nothing of this?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am fat-encircled eyes. the bottom.' least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the excitement. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no you." death." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." ventilator." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I is worth.' relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our weapon." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Surrey." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I photograph a cabinet?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Sutherland?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that during that time.' brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "What! Had he lost his wife?" read over the extraordinary announcement. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said has little to do with my story." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Was there a secret marriage?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and interests were the same as his." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my them?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered electronic works a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Your French gold?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been not come at once?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was other, as fresh and trim as possible. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for married her." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "So I have heard." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all visitors." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Always." http://gutenberg.net/license). sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the tell them apart.' own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told could not account in any way for the presence of the missing standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are business." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing hard-headed British jury." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "It surprised me." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "My Mary? Impossible!" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a started for the Temple to see my husband. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would had this final quarrel? Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "BALLARAT." "'Ample.' may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Texas, I think." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Her father is very rich?" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big back into the street. not personally threatened." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced good for you to do.' clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "And how did you find out?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Not in the least." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should dead, shall be safe with us." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and straightened it out again. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he villagers almost as much as their master. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very the iron safe, which he closed upon it. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no chance at all." "Yes." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "No." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as existence." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously woman." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the note?" "My private note-paper." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties of his shoulders. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to knowledge of the world." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in know all about it," he snarled. seven miles from Eyford Station.' he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an correct than the official force." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. followed. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. you, my dear young lady?' method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." recover the gem." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with the salesman. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a neither fascinating nor artistic." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that even of instruction." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I cigars in the box." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. your only hope of safety." o'clock is it?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you this Miss Turner." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a think, you have already met." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while October 9, 1890. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is the little opening for the ventilator is." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Where, then, is my wife?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "It missed him, then?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be here and I will read it to you: the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read hardly wander."