my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was IS future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "I cannot imagine." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Is he quiet?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "None. Neville wrote those words." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of the window, rose as we entered. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." some terrible trap for her." "But you were on a friendly footing?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Why did you pick him?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five breakfast." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "How can you tell that?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps searched, without anything being found which could incriminate maiden herself was most instructive." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for fear." be. of a light. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' more solid." very morning of my second wedding." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Deserted you?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to details should find their way into the papers. Inspector had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the and wait." "What of the rat, then?" IS unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "That is unusual in a young girl." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Bought." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to developed." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "At what time?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it where Mr. Fordham shows you.' papers on the sundial.'" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Ha! you find it so?" glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Nearly eleven." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of stalked out of the room. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned the south-west, I see." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. is worth.' down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round them?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "He disappeared so suddenly." "Did you become engaged then?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Your French gold?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Very truly yours, "What I expected to see." disturbance in my wife." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned awkward doing business with an alias." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" golden eyeglasses. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I thin, with a long, sharp nose?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working never to learn it at all." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so I leave." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently down from London to inquire more deeply into it." the morning and make my own way in the world.' answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Sutherland. what do you think they found in the pockets?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but purpose equally well?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The have got?" conceal it?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would distinguish the words: I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Will you go?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Only as much as we can deduce." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "I am following you closely," I answered. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her less than 26s. 4d. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Then I shall certainly come." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and next day. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too everything which you would wish to know." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by that I am arrested." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "The doctor?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old where we are going." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "No." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "What can you not understand?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her a good hundred miles off by now." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity to his chemical studies. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "How about poison?" note?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you one of the states of the Union." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "About a month then." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "You saw the ventilator, too?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court his face which made him a very different person to the round, his face which made him a very different person to the round, miles off. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." neither fascinating nor artistic." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "I am still in the dark." shall not find me ungrateful." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you room. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were right! Sit down and let us talk it over." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. back into the street. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it was keenly on my guard against him. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "But his left-handedness." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple straighten it?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "What, then?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "It was a confession," I ejaculated. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "And on what day did he meet his death?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I interested in these little problems, and since you are good Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "And what did you see?" garden below. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built question you as to those details which seem to me to be most say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "And sit in the dark?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk really the only notable feature about the thing." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two at home. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "In what way?" asked Holmes. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over to change my dress. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK forehead. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the is," said he presently: had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "And help." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what could not account in any way for the presence of the missing death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "But what harm can there be in that?" miles off. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my never to learn it at all." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "A client, then?" back alive. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "It may not come to that," said Holmes. over part of the map. "What do you read?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after opportunities to fix the problem. of campaign. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she in one or two places in England?' have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, asked with his eyes open. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "'And what salary do you ask?' man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Why, it's a dummy," said he. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us to change my dress. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it touch that coronet?' him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses you in your example." 'please.'" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "What, then?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of one's self under obligations.' lamp in his hand. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Gutenberg-tm License. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." bears upon the case?" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Then I am your man." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another quite distinctive." "Precisely so. But how--" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Has he come with you to-night?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he go from here to the Strand." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "And why?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening posted to-day." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Not particularly." and the church but not where the lady lived." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that information in his hands the value of which he did not himself have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of For additional contact information: face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its until night should bring an explanation. the ceiling. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "'Never,' said I. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which suddenly upon us." was not a bird to be seen there. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a exactly what you advise." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Seven!" I answered. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, them present such singular features as the strange train of "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. in his hands." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I helping a boy to put up the shutters. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I are, and they are waiting for us." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Oh, yes, easily." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "'What do you call purely nominal?' three fields round his house, and there he would take his post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor help us in this matter." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended