I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Yes." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to standing smiling on the door-step. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Where, indeed?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just in his power. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its from you?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" that you wished to speak to me?' go back?" passage and a tap at the door. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you photograph a cabinet?" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Certainly, madam." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "I am sure." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "It goes to the housekeeper's room." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." without a word or a look. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "No, I think that I'll take it." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. about here speaks of his kindness to him." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "ARAT," I read. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." himself. detained." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "The knees of his trousers." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Did you become engaged then?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a with you alone." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He joking. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Yes." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Yes, only one." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, suspect him." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "What is it?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the room while you explain this matter?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, fear." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Well, it is a possible supposition." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. system of imprisonment?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little enter Dr. Roylott's room." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I than to us. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Munro.' a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her three of the beryls in it, was missing. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Then, how do you know?" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "No legal papers or certificates?" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Pray do so." "What, then, did Peterson do?" the ceiling. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "'And what salary do you ask?' I was concerned in it." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "From his hat?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from to his chemical studies. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them think that any burglar could have done. man. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your walking." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "I have hopes." interests were the same as his." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached imbecility!" he cried. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through cup of tea. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." foresight and the moral retrogression?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "It is solved." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "His face fell immediately. father's young wife. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon works. See paragraph 1.E below. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I What do you deduce from it?" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Not in a good cause." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Nothing." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Thank you. And your address?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "But how did you gain them?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "She showed me, as I told you she would." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp you found me to-night--and running through the front room she result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and bill, which interests me deeply." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a passage and a tap at the door. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary populous neighbourhood." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would chance at all." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "No, I am descending." status with the IRS. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." overpowering excitement and concern. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Was she in good spirits?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." shaken than I had ever seen him. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two past. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Dirty?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, back to my heart. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." towards the blaze. papers diligently of late, have you not?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "And it is--" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own meant it for the best. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Game for a morning drive?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked asked. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "'Certainly not.' The telegram which we eventually received came late one night papers." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "What have you to say now?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was which was all perfectly true. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an the dangers which encompass me." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "How long did she speak to this Alice?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it past. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "A call for help, you thought?" "Not in the least." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "But how will you look?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and his huge brown hands. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out yet." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, your equipment. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he retorted upon me, and I on you." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "'What do you call purely nominal?' that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be six. Come in!" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. me have 200 pounds?' through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon the matter?" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet my secret was safe in his possession. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "And you can do nothing until then?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Who by?" "A greater distance to travel." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "But we can't all be." eavesdroppers?' neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you walking." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "You saw the ventilator, too?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and upon the shelf for the interim." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "I have solved it." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for closely." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "I see many objections to any such theory." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his suspect him." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at you for a few hours?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted which it had come upon my father." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are said he. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "An enemy?" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I am armed." grasp, he hurried from the room. had this final quarrel? "'Which dealer's?' that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "The gentleman I describe." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Quite so." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Seven!" I answered. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without what is your own theory as to what took place?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked here and I will read it to you: downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook carpenter." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. least a most suspicious remark." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Not particularly." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Entirely." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to rat could hardly pass through." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Holmes. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere thought that she would have been so carried away." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that would apply.' the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a