"What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. who was a member of your goose club." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "And what then?" "Upon what point?" have had none more fantastic than this." License. You must require such a user to return or "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "No?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "I think that it is very probable." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he tightly behind him. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. any more." fled together." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Nothing." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a new acquaintance to Baker Street. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. locked." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! to go into your room and bar your shutters?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." bird of prey. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's of a light. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "But of what society?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "I say it is." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with jewels which you have stolen?' instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Well, some hundreds of times." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "I have a cab outside." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated she to prove their authenticity?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in he bowed and left the room without another word. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much thirty. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue details should find their way into the papers. Inspector vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with this Miss Turner." your most interesting statement." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Yes, he did." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose call the police, let the police find what they can.' given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it floor. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would tear off another piece?' and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that read over the extraordinary announcement. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of happened." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well hereditary King of Bohemia." Lee, in the county of Kent." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the open." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he just ask you whether you had heard it.' character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "I promise," said Holmes. future lives." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup gives a meaning to it." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, During two years I have had three consultations and one small here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Where, then?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send into the bag, and made for the door. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "I am following you closely," I answered. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it affection." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel villagers almost as much as their master. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. business came to an end." away to you." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would vanished into the darkness. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Won't it ring?" and capable of preserving a secret.' "You think that he is dead?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the have got?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can matter over." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me ourselves in the office." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on to-night." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." a very grave face. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "At the wedding breakfast." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of affair. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Yes, at the mines." girl said." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. have an American origin." unprofitable." "But I am all in the dark." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been information in his hands the value of which he did not himself at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a whether it answered to the description of any of their it with his own hands." the address that was given us in the advertisement. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent extraordinary contortions. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque in a very precise fashion." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "You heard nothing yourself last night?" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend hopeless attempt at recovering them." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and said I. system of imprisonment?" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known chance." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Were they all fastened this morning?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to forecastle of an emigrant ship. "The rest you will leave in our hands." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards the inner apartment." "My own seal." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the morning and make my own way in the world.' "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Did you observe the colour?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Yes." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would in him." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera forecastle of an emigrant ship. disappearance of these gems?" business matters.' "Then the page we have seen--" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything once more for Briony Lodge. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." rose-bushes. giving me time to thank him. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "I cannot say that I have." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the the nursery. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Holmes. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "It looks newer than the other things?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it enough to aid us in our search." eat it." you give your casting vote to?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to hand, madam?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. as noiselessly as she had come. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "It missed him, then?" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt have had none more fantastic than this." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Never to return." in a very precise fashion." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "One of his hands." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds laugh and put his lips to my ear. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his have been better. It is all right." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Do you know him?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my union?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was must be when I saw the door open.' "You have compromised yourself seriously." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the nursery. "Pray do so." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. public press." shaken than I had ever seen him. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked his knees, staring into the fire. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin me have 200 pounds?' though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty detained." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The I shall communicate with you." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for said he, "my real name is James Ryder." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the questionable one." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Have you her photograph?" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. chamber." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the peculiar to him. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable asked with his eyes open. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the stones. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of you want, then?' chair. his grey eyes. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I his knees, staring into the fire. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the general public were present, then?" "'Yes, I promise.' sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second remarked. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "That is easily got." "'I shall certainly be there.' turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "My own seal." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all