cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's a very grave face. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "You don't mind breaking the law?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated writer." dead, shall be safe with us." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend cigar and let me expound." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Yes." is worth.' "But to whom?" "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any our word." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, chance." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'It is locked up,' I answered. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "It is no ordinary one." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo sparkled upon his finger. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to in this note: "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for had died away into the silence from which it rose. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" happened." not, dad?" she asked. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a public press." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King vault. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. rooms." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Why? What do you mean?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil not, dad?" she asked. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, it. official police." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." business matters.' its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Certainly." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "'What, the red-headed man?' once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our delighted to hear it," he said. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Entirely." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Certainly." drove away. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the empty. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Tired-looking or fresh?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was than to us. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Does that suggest anything?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the take the flies, but not before." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "I should be immensely obliged to you." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my that you saw all that I did." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "You think so, too?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our opened a pocket-book and took out a note. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Eyford at 11:15.' shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of following enigmatical notices: a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was a suggestive one." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Bought." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it assist you in forming an opinion." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and murdered man." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or which I could not give. He asked for Alice. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "My dear Holmes!" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "You have carte blanche." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you it means?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Yes." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "That is it on the dressing-table." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Eyford." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction had this final quarrel? wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a is," said he presently: eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' the matter?" hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'Never.' Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "And is that all?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first think that he is innocent?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "I assure you that I am in your hands." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "That is unusual in a young girl." nothing of it?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his attention." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Then I can wait in the next room." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "And why?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure works. See paragraph 1.E below. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not in this way: too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, clanging. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, again, where I was soon asleep. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the photograph a cabinet?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when empty. business." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I system of imprisonment?" "How on earth--" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Then, how do you know?" away into the river." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible outbreak?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously have had none more fantastic than this." Sutherland?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with anything to a woman, for she would have her way." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' and files of the old papers, following the future career of every a suggestive one." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "That's no good." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "ARAT," I read. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not whether it answered to the description of any of their superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Which are?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" in his power. been deceived." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to come either from the window or the door. My attention was cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." tell me that you intended to go into harness." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "It is his hat." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." fasten all the windows?" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed compunction about shooting them down." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark families. Now for the facts. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been when your master had gone out." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low nonsense.' "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do For additional contact information: like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "I assure you that I am in your hands." "'Yes, sir.' A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "And how did you find out?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover side. "How are you getting on?" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Yes." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "How are you getting on?" which it had come upon my father." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the goes." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "And you can do nothing until then?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." conduct the inquiry." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the so far?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small lids now and glanced across at his visitor. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood speckled band?" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to address. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Did you observe the colour?" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had of the one which your family is now devouring." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "By no means." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "It goes to the housekeeper's room." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few redistribution. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Why did you pick him?" for and were ordered to this address. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "No, I am descending." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "He is still with you, I presume?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "It is possible." an introduction to him?" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." upon the sideboard." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "To an English lawyer named Norton." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better will take you up to see the machine.' in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Murdered?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand it." hands. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Where to?" me where it went to?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was them, and came down just as you departed. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "You have it, sir, just as it happened." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Have you her photograph?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "I will get her to show me." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "What have you to say now?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Stolen." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." passage and a tap at the door. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "I was sure that I might rely on you." unprecedented a position." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was been lifted and conveyed somewhere." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." public press." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," know all about it," he snarled. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "And what did you learn from him?" very old mansion. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, everything which you would wish to know." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of