that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "But you would not advise me to refuse?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been disturbance in my wife." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming instituted." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I I shall continue with my miserable story. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away spark where all is dark to me." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was said he. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked of the efforts of the United States government and of the better be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for very morning of my second wedding." prison!" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "So I am. Very much so." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "But his left-handedness." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. as yours." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right following enigmatical notices: "When did it break out?" it." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a fire. You quite follow me?" these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Your presence might be invaluable." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the and inquire as to the address." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "To an end?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "That is possible." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw that he has suffered." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "'Certainly,' I answered. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of dates and names. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel from you?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered up this clue while it is still hot." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Never to return." "That is easily got." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it strange features which were associated with the two crimes which and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "I will, Miss Turner." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, DAMAGE. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "You don't mind breaking the law?" rooms." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little said I. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the my former friend and companion. III. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will trying to your nerves." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "How about poison?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest other means.' "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "It is his hat." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair swore that no one else had been in the front room during the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in pity, because in other respects you would really have done very old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton what I may call a really hard day's work." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just IS nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa you." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste written, and locked the door of the office after me. clanging. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Get out!" said he. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "'And what salary do you ask?' upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to that he will be back before evening." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out down from London to inquire more deeply into it." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in This is what he says: lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the writers could invent nothing more crude." you in your example." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the respectable self." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Come in!" said he. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. works. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, straighten it?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be shaken than I had ever seen him. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a test if we have an answer to our advertisement." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. have I gained?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is what these perils are?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited and glanced through. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had ready to-morrow?' "Yesterday." security.' the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old of the efforts of the United States government and of the better about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "From his hat?" My friend smiled. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "My dear Holmes!" himself to hunt down. in darkness. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, sound at heart." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The McCarthy's innocence. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Who by?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock question," said Holmes, smiling. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been you give your casting vote to?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "What can it mean?" I gasped. constraint." beg that you will break it off." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "So I heard. You have him here?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the the so-precious time, but come!' the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Oh, the cause is excellent!" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "ARAT," I read. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this me what he had done with the three missing stones. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I morning." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! future lives." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "'I am sure that I do not know.' again on its way. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same village inn over there?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly matter." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "One of his hands." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, legal crime." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace information in his hands the value of which he did not himself his eyes and forehead. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were morning." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his him nearly every evening." writing, and yet I know it well." way in." peculiar to him. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." house for five minutes.' would then never go into court at all." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has affection." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Quite so. She has her freedom." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the questioning and rather startled gaze. "'I am sure if I had known--' sound at heart." it." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "That's no good." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "It is to him that this trophy belongs." spare." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup round with crates and massive boxes. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Of what?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and him to go away.' often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little companion. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with acted in my house last night?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, door?" coroner's jury." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly the stones. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every said I. danger is over." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Holmes, the busybody!" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is 1.E.9. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. had a long day." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he room had already been engaged for us. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in corner of the building. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, that I can to serve you." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry you do it in twenty minutes!' perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey of your young ladies.' ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered leave you to your papers for a little." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining leaning back in his chair. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year go back?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down garden below. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his and the whole place is in a blaze." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon man. I know him from the photograph." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Where did he live, then?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for