had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for asked with his eyes open. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, hour?' my friend's incisive reasoning. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't this man was intellectual?" existence." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Ah!" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. I leave." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such For additional contact information: the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. bearing upon the case." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of rooms." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, be. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain with her." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest clang of the bell. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." do you make of it all?" "Pray do so." you, my dear young lady?' treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that spark where all is dark to me." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a young Openshaw's." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, astonishment. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Entirely." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited did not hear it also.' done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in my special province." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Imitated." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the would apply.' gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the ordinary clothes on?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "You have a clue?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "No." ventilator." "About a month then." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever foot. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Not I." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each mysterious business." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon opened a pocket-book and took out a note. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with hard-headed British jury." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began do you make of it all?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "No." the coronet in his hands?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Do you know him?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir a few minutes he said that it would be all right. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." intrusion of other matters." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to I held the little printed slip to the light. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same is four-and-twenty." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity brandy and water within his reach. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It drawing your inferences." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Very. But will he see it?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the business at Coburg Square is serious." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no you do it in twenty minutes!' himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' call you and give you the chance." new duties?' "I was mad--insane." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Not him." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "The Coroner: What do you mean? and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Countess of Morcar's?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to that threaten you." bare slabs of marble. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, generous with you in money matters.' trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "It is half-past ten now." "No, I think that I'll take it." lectures into a series of tales." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through and put his glass in his pocket. in this way: sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott throat." "'I am sure if I had known--' just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how that, and I came down." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "The King of Scandinavia." "Oh, fresh and glossy." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to directors, with the result that you have seen." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "When did she vanish, then?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. pictures, libraries, or plate. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "By no means." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Absolutely?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police crowd. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel least a fellow-countryman. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated next day. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. lamp. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss writer." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "My dear Holmes!" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. and wait." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "The decline of his fortunes, then?" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, chambers. in this note: wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his I leave." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "And your mother is alive?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "I should wish to." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his the very letters. But what is this written above them?' there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," sound at heart." direction." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, me. "Do you go out much in society?" way in everything. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the people in all walks of life. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "I cannot imagine." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his secret." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "I say that I have solved it." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a main points of my analysis." "'Certainly,' I answered. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, be. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I if she died from some sudden fright." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them was a lad." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' photograph a cabinet?" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Then, as to money?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "'Yes, it was gone.' "By no means." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress and capable of preserving a secret.' you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "It looks newer than the other things?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "What can it mean?" I gasped. you came in." "A greater distance to travel." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Munro.' "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "I cannot say that I have." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "This photograph!" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss present." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "No, I think that I'll take it." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very fact, we may call it conclusive." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "'And what salary do you ask?' came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural were wasted." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. least a fellow-countryman. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the ready to-morrow?' themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "What office?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Of what day?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "And how have you succeeded?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "No." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about hour?' "I am following you closely," I answered. "No, finished." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most my friend's incisive reasoning. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in or in danger--" with you alone." it." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his chambers. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months business." "Yes, sir." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found it with his own hands." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "'What, the red-headed man?' this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I open." the room while you explain this matter?" "'Certainly not. But why?' voice. "Why? What do you mean?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "In answer to an advertisement." minor matters until to-morrow." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Yes, from Horsham." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Well?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the