general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, national property. I was determined that the law should have its Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'Very good.' trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Mary, has deserted me." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. will be renamed. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother fact, we may call it conclusive." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were nothing of it?" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself or in danger--" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but his fortune, and I went back to pa. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my said he, "my real name is James Ryder." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting distinguish the words: salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Holmes. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me occurred." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the help us in this matter." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." gigantic client. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life during which he might have communicated with his friend the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "You forget that I know nothing about it." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress him." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "In answer to an advertisement." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Your French gold?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Yes." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner woven round him. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and been with you?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Did your wife hear all this?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "But what will you do?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Then what has happened to him?" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no that the gas is not laid on in his house?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. father's young wife. the window, rose as we entered. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "And is that all?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm and glanced through. this Miss Turner." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "May I see it?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "I know where it is." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the strong and stiff." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Why did you pick him?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged His smile broadened. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that my special province." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the second window is the one that I jumped from." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still face and glided from the room. better in every way that they should make their position a little know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "But your client--" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that on re-entering her father's house?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and sentimental considerations in the background which would induce of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I am armed." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how fled together." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The call it cruel." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that she might be summoned. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Holmes." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Witness: It was. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which her also." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Yes, sir." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney this poor creature." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with wedding?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "But not more so than I to find you." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "That also I could fathom." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one page at http://pglaf.org who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern in the hope of finding them." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for examination of the premises, but without finding anything which knowledge of the world." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "'I have heard so.' dramatic, in fact." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, might have a private word with us. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the on re-entering her father's house?" danger is over." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "That also I could fathom." "Never." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about see me here to avoid scandal." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel may have an influence upon European history." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a is acting for the best. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "'It is locked up,' I answered. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and likely to be some crony of the landlady's." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Street. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was take the flies, but not before." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." said I. "By train from Waterloo." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "And that is--" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Dr. Becher's." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "The gentleman I describe." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than laugh and put his lips to my ear. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. of the one which your family is now devouring." "'Which dealer's?' weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "One of his hands." business?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg writing, and yet I know it well." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is done what I asked you, Jones?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these once more for Briony Lodge. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who was keenly on my guard against him. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few anything to a woman, for she would have her way." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "You are all wrong." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, shall use the carriage to-night." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those them present such singular features as the strange train of slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. you want, then?' Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "'I shall certainly be there.' very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "But how?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that in one or two places in England?' Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk was it brought him the coronet? He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Oh, yes, easily." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "My photograph." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "No bad?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was up this clue while it is still hot." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "I cannot tell." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "I cannot tell." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." with frightened eyes at his accuser. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'Never.' "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down trifles." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "'Then let me do so?' "But I have heard all that you have heard." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked one which it was hard to resist. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "'Yes.' old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father exactly what you advise." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "And now?" I asked. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Yes, but only for you and me." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really been shamefully used." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a License. You must require such a user to return or had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "I think that it is very probable." something of him before." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' it with his own hands." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, cost them two and thirty pounds." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his both be extremely obliged.' Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "It is no ordinary one." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between forehead. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" ways of our fellow-men." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low this remarkable episode. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, This is what he says: but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "How on earth--" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon photograph a cabinet?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us.