town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." into the bag, and made for the door. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "I say it is." good for you to do.' music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second page at http://pglaf.org contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "That is not always so easy." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a round and wave him away like that.' object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "It is very kind of you." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both his cane at the bell-pull. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Yes." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of purpose of examination. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit used to be." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace that I can to serve you." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will case before our client came into the room." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we http://gutenberg.net/license). Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened to have that photograph." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "A confidential servant?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and congenial hunt. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." touch that coronet?' be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in strength in the others." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. cigars in the box." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I will do it." you in your example." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy persecution?" "But she could not love him." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "To an end?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a do.' pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was what do you think they found in the pockets?" "And you can do nothing until then?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Imitated." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Yes, sir." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My begun to whiten, even as mine has." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "How did you trace it, then?" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. public press." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, are windows in it, of course?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Thank you. And your address?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be habit of advancing money.' lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room morning." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "He is still with you, I presume?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his in the port of London." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, matter." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would disappearance of the bride.'" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from the very morning of the wedding." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow and have this put in the evening papers." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, daring than any effort of the imagination." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great remarked. placed his cuttings. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the Red-headed League." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "We have tried and failed." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded and have this put in the evening papers." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. take the flies, but not before." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. if I call to-morrow?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort cause to be." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "I would pay ten." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the License. You must require such a user to return or "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. breakfast?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian is so. I know all about McCarthy." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Yes." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "What! a murderous attack?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that see a sister of mine apply for." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting photograph a cabinet?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" with her." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty John Swain, of St. Augustine. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable danger is over." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Miss Holder?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary official police." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "What will you do, then?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has late." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; me what he had done with the three missing stones. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of the child." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" just called myself is not exactly my own." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may all?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, some city in a dream. province." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his cigar and let me expound." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel crowd. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to I leave." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the happened." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless washing it down with a long draught of water. morning." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman and effective." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "A client, then?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, was not a bird to be seen there. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent question you as to those details which seem to me to be most had picked up in the wood. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small bled considerably." "In San Francisco, a year ago." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was address. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "And help." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "So I have heard." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Do you go out much in society?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "I say it is." chambers. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Two days later this same performance was gone through under my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "'A dozen yards or so.' all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon chair. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first States. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, what is your own theory as to what took place?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of the one as in the other." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, hardly wander." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon my special province." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "I fear not." appeal." the coronet in his hand?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the inquest, and which are worth considering." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one that I can to serve you." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black success. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon not within a twentieth part of the market price." place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Come in!" said Holmes. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On dates and names. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a my special province." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he chance at all." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "We must have a cab." asked. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "I promise," said Holmes. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from the date of his supposed suicide." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that them?" "'What, the red-headed man?' was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." chill to my heart. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand kindly on the shoulder. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Why? What do you mean?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The your only hope of safety." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared tell me that you intended to go into harness." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, but preventing her from injuring another. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Upon what point?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous of the efforts of the United States government and of the better January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute