I nodded again. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a III. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, of the way of danger. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "I will do it." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in weigh very heavily upon my conscience." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step will be renamed. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens spark where all is dark to me." once more to my work. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "And why?" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "On Monday." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly sufficient punishment." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'You cannot say what it was?' with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Clair, of Lee." she might be summoned. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker during which he might have communicated with his friend the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his chance." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon train from Paddington which would bring you there at about roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in my secret was safe in his possession. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Here?" "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "He slept on the premises." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Well." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment into the bag, and made for the door. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Why? What do you mean?" lectures into a series of tales." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' this as likely?" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "I was sure that I might rely on you." detained." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, read it out to me." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem never to learn it at all." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' likely to be some crony of the landlady's." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "And I." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the carried out of court." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an events, Mr. Windibank!" "Well, some hundreds of times." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite three of the beryls in it, was missing. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view very morning of my second wedding." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to way: to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it that?' dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by there has been an enclosure here!" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "And is that all?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "I was sure that I might rely on you." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the unclasping of his long thin hands. chill to my heart. to have that photograph." "I am all attention, madam." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have the bed, and you in that chair." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "None." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock that I am arrested." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock hands. tapping his fingers upon the table. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "No. His orders were to stay in the house." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "No bad?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "I guessed as much." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are villagers almost as much as their master. "None." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Oh, fresh and glossy." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" tell them apart.' look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about business at Coburg Square is serious." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity footfalls from the street. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. occupations.' harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. status with the IRS. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." You want to know what became of those geese?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both threw himself down with his face to the pillow. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Then, how do you know?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it considering the formidable letters which were received by himself life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who kind enough to tell me what I should do." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, status with the IRS. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said plantation.' "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an disappearance of the bride.'" again before evening." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, of it with the greatest attention. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and could gather together that I was able to avert another public have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, just called myself is not exactly my own." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I placed his cuttings. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the house with me." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be into the room. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Nor running a chance of arrest?" across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was outside." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "I will get her to show me." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "But his left-handedness." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty asked. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing pictures, libraries, or plate. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the running down." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press that he has suffered." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and situation." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and knowledge of the world." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Then you may be so with me." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Arthur Conan Doyle if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport of your young ladies.' Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural ourselves in the office." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary more solid." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest gbnewby@pglaf.org About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Where is it, then?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband of receipt of the work. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "'Oh, no.' "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his not use it unless it is absolutely needed." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither appointment with me for six o'clock?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "I don't believe it." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "I warn you that they are very incomplete." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those not as remarkable as your advertisement." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I License. You must require such a user to return or exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen to arrive at through this?" "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can matter." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "It is very kind of you." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "None." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), investigation." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something green of the new foliage. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "I beg pardon." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from more solid." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "A call for help, you thought?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "That is possible." yards of it?' "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a during that time.' furiously. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "There are none." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Yes, that is the Crown." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "What, then?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" villagers almost as much as their master. "He disappeared so suddenly." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, hour." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for call it cruel." again." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of the coronet in his hand?" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Why? What do you mean?" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to one's self under obligations.' pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to was already answered. "What! a murderous attack?" "Nothing?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police breakfast." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "'Yes.' snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we like gravel from a pit.' "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, nothing of it?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a became a certainty. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise.