matter." away into the river." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, as noiselessly as she had come. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Henry Baker is a member." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "By all means." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance This is what he says: would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has up this clue while it is still hot." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "How on earth--" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a pictures, libraries, or plate. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from against a man in the prime of life?" "My own seal." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, be best to do. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "The landlord of the Alpha." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "But of what society?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, questionable one." at home. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "It is half-past ten now." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so it." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire when your master had gone out." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more you do it in twenty minutes!' King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and over with notes and figures. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow more terrible than the truth. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "But to whom?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the is now desirous of getting those letters back." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." would then never go into court at all." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "'I have heard so.' quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "What will you do, then?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever been." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Then you may be so with me." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. go from here to the Strand." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural own family. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her time." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average any little problem which you may submit to me." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to singular points about the case. What did the police think of the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps in the dead of the night?' business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and wedding?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a good-night and bustled off upon her way. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while nights." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up nonsense.' at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "This photograph!" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San writer." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us You can understand that this register and diary may implicate - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had entirely lost his self-respect." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Yes, sir." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "My own seal." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary writing, and yet I know it well." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "At what time?" Heh?' "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been upon the sideboard." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? the running down." to some other building. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "You have the photograph?" His name is Francis Prosper." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Quite so." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE all-comprehensive glances. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a from the brougham. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is have one." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "You have but to name it." Leadenhall Street--and--" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. it." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous chamber." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "And now?" He raised his hand. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "My dear Holmes!" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Countess of Morcar's?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "But what harm can there be in that?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "It came here." His smile broadened. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "But it has twice been burgled." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR characteristics, but those are the more obvious." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an security.' "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "And how in the world did you find them?" some terrible trap for her." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution laugh and put his lips to my ear. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not chance at all." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "10th. John Swain cleared. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight I took the paper from him and read as follows: black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be sofa. This way, please!" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a round and wave him away like that.' seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Where, then?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very you came in." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution than to us. "Why did you beat the pavement?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a if only as a check to my own memory." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Was your sister dressed?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the gentleman's clothes. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich generous with you in money matters.' definite end. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "I don't say that. Perhaps." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "How do you know, then?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging system of imprisonment?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other populous neighbourhood." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the heavily into it. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without you?' my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Not particularly." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend sit on the left-hand side of the driver." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest now. It seems that there had been some informality about their as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Quite so. She has her freedom." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we impression behind it as though a window had gently closed who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that simple cases which are so extremely difficult." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "'Is purely nominal.' "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Perhaps I have." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It easy-going way." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured weapon." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or depend upon my doing so.' there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, and looked back. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in what I may call a really hard day's work." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you during which he might have communicated with his friend the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning For additional contact information: business came to an end." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Tired-looking or fresh?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am 1.E.9. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Yes, he did." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned highroad, where all traces were lost. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Then he might have called to you?" imbecility!" he cried. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here salesman. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," confronted him. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "No, finished." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. about. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from touch that coronet?' hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to behind me. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "No." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Certainly." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE been deceived." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped woven round him. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman upon an income of about 60 pounds." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of 11:15.' villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind to-morrow." coroner's jury." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell The police have openly confessed that they can at present make and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she question," said Holmes, smiling. "She will not sell." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "By no means." six. Come in!" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the soul! here is her carriage at the door." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "My geese!" The man seemed surprised.