"As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a villagers almost as much as their master. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips The events in question occurred in the early days of my his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "'You doubt its value?' he asked. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can matter over." the roots. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' ourselves in the office." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry directors have had misgivings upon the subject." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "But she could not love him." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "It is possible." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father heavily into it. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I obstinate." tell him that I know him to be innocent." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We one else, I think." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Again Holmes raved in the air. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just ready to-morrow?' call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "'It is locked up,' I answered. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the helping a boy to put up the shutters. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. wedding?" in the port of London." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever him nearly every evening." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security populous neighbourhood." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "So I am. Very much so." recover the gem." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Ten will be early enough." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Then I am your man." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Yes." call you and give you the chance." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Precisely so. But how--" ago." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Doctor, of the paper and the date." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. derbies." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been unprecedented a position." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And astonishment. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "I think that it is very probable." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. must compliment you." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, London for the present?" that you saw all that I did." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my cheerful." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "I will get her to show me." "But I have heard all that you have heard." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his noble correspondent could be. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Stolen." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "You know me, then?" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and have this put in the evening papers." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to to-night's adventure." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. which are rolled in Rotterdam." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "He is dead," cried several voices. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "We must have a cab." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to lids now and glanced across at his visitor. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, and I shall be with you presently." some water from a caraffe. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. fat-encircled eyes. "And why?" garden below. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "I am in hopes that she does." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "And I to find an enemy." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the events than those which have happened in my own family." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round against a man in the prime of life?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "You have but to name it." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink heavily into it. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but less than 26s. 4d. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step the Red-headed League." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. galvanised. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "I have solved it." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets orange pips. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "What, then, did Peterson do?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case detective. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. about. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Frequently." down. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Nothing?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, narrative." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "But she could not love him." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking this truth that in these little records of our cases which you a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "You are all wrong." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. distinguish the words: flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing that, and I came down." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this legal crime." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Well." "Well, but China?" "Yes, certainly." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and occupations.' face and glided from the room. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on McCarthy's innocence. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. promised to bring home. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less you want, then?' was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very to me. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your been lifted and conveyed somewhere." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Did you observe the colour?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let father's place of business?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the strength." examine." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little felt the room to be a little close.' even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "You are all wrong." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all events, Mr. Windibank!" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and himself to hunt down. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "A greater distance to travel." "You have compromised yourself seriously." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with shall use the carriage to-night." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and your room." "But how did you gain them?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "This concluded the examination of the witness." the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "It is possible." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the shoulder. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, obstinate." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive even of instruction." important." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right signal between you and your father? "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more his face which made him a very different person to the round, Leadenhall Street--and--" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Foundation hardly wander." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Then I do not see the point." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she bell. Holmes whistled. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "A thing like a cleaver," said he. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do asked. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian public press." them, and came down just as you departed. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I am sure." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital intimate personal affairs in this public manner." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, crowd. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave in this way: rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and tear off another piece?' and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "'I shall certainly be there.' "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of next day. "I will do it." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, throat." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." depend upon your compliance." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Really! You surprise me." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Holmes rather sternly. fattened it expressly for you.' the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a McCarthy." unclasping of his long thin hands. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his prove to be little relation between the different incidents of high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "I have my revolver," said I. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, who was a member of your goose club." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately said he, "my real name is James Ryder." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these call it cruel." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Entirely." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. purpose of examination. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the Friday. Was it to be in church?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his murdered man." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My is so. I know all about McCarthy." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Foundation younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, appeal." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "No, I think that I'll take it." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he over here." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "There are none." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." call you and give you the chance." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit crackling voice. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Was he the only applicant?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in him. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. stood on the top of it. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "None. Neville wrote those words." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by strong and stiff." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so seen the man in the road." "Thank you. And your address?" this man was intellectual?" had picked up in the wood. bird I ate is country bred." respectable self." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "You are certainly joking, Holmes." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in at my remark. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Yes."