Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, without a word or a look. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "My private note-paper." Leadenhall Street--and--" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "How did you deduce the select?" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Foundation We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" yourselves in at night?" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she once more on the important position which you have been fortunate wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey nice household for a young lady." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed the side-table." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Then what has happened to him?" families. Now for the facts. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Not I." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "No more words. Get out!" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "So I heard. You have him here?" note?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its desk. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg people don't know." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's breakfast?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Her father is very rich?" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "I fear not." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "By all means." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend mystery." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Nearly eleven." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "You heard nothing yourself last night?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me corner of the building. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. green of the new foliage. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Watson," he said cordially. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. late." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being this Miss Turner." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and have one." read it out to me." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie and files of the old papers, following the future career of every appeared upon the scene." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "None." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her always that they were such commands as a lady might with it." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my and shall probably return to London by the evening train." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "At what time?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You peculiar to him. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so is now desirous of getting those letters back." families. Now for the facts. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been of your young ladies.' both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Sutherland?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Get out!" said he. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "But how did you gain them?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Of Friday, June 19th." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely more terrible than the truth. "Your sister is dead, then?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Will you bet, then?" were new raised from a basin. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "But you were on a friendly footing?" "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face away in different directions, and I went off to make my own the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the night.' therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, I. on re-entering her father's house?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. Sutherland?" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I never have." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his way in." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker in my life." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City already been minutely examined." "And help." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and lids now and glanced across at his visitor. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Yes, only one." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Yes, sir." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. disturbance in my wife." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "I am following you closely," I answered. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no a suggestive one." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "And how in the world did you find them?" province." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, cheerful." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the not fit the lock." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "An accident, I presume?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight to tell." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after best detective that ever lived. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have one else, I think." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Not yet." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten down. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; soul! here is her carriage at the door." Surrey." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "But how?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up young Openshaw's." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that matter." "But how?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "The gentleman I describe." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I asked. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there away in different directions, and I went off to make my own this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. I took the paper from him and read as follows: other means.' been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' you in your example." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. neither fascinating nor artistic." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the is acting for the best. guilty parties." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Certainly." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there if only as a check to my own memory." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid away in different directions, and I went off to make my own them?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "I will, Miss Turner." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." throat." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "But you would not advise me to refuse?" head. So long, then!" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such this Miss Turner." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss manager. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His presented which may be striking and bizarre without being case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events golden eyeglasses. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact present." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "I guessed as much." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in the south-west, I see." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is you?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the to a light-house. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the tragedy. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left annoyance, but no jest. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then locked." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "It looks newer than the other things?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the date of his supposed suicide." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the in. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to the nursery. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Yes, certainly." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should back into the street. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "The rest you will leave in our hands." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." round and wave him away like that.' pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, you in your example." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "No. What a strange idea!" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 hard-headed British jury." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my maiden herself was most instructive." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive place no limit on the sum I may draw." heavily into it. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, for the market.' been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it