"In San Francisco, a year ago." several quiet little villages up there." as he folded up the epistle. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "What office?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All following enigmatical notices: conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable back into the street. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I crackling voice. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "And how in the world did you find them?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "And it is--" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main colonel looking down at me. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." thin legs towards the fire. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "'And the work?' "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his down. DAMAGE. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be it." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer might have a private word with us. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of distinguish the words: time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "I cannot say that I have." went to the Alpha were town bred." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive ways including including checks, online payments and credit card My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would friend's singular character. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "9th. McCauley cleared. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "And did you observe any change in her then?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of observed. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "No, but the enclosure is." might help us?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately DISSOLVED. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the McCarthy's innocence. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 Munro.' "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Heh?' The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were to me. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some now. It seems that there had been some informality about their of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived occurred." "The knees of his trousers." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, people in all walks of life. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "On Monday." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look without a word or a look. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a this Miss Turner." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour chamber." to his chemical studies. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." indiscretion." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." money should be paid at once.' of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs stalked out of the room. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "But who is he?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to a very grave face. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood of his shoulders. "By train from Waterloo." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "And you don't know his address?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, individual and becomes the badge of a society." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." had picked up in the wood. "None." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, it." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the are windows in it, of course?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Arthur Conan Doyle DAMAGE. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Very. But will he see it?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to your sleep?' quickly through a disagreeable task. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do generous with you in money matters.' forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no down from London to inquire more deeply into it." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening and that he would see to anything that turned up. bird of prey. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "They are typewritten," I remarked. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my joking. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." presume?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I room?" Stoke Moran." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "You think that he is dead?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and held up the lantern and gazed about him. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Only as much as we can deduce." "Will you go?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the photograph?" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Yes, sir." "No." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. unprecedented a position." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Countess of Morcar's?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We as the one I chose?' "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the station." "I see many objections to any such theory." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. what is your own theory as to what took place?" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert really the only notable feature about the thing." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "The Cedars?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the never will be, entirely cleared up. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "No." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive and the whole place is in a blaze." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; their singular warning or token before them when starting upon to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel triumphant cloud from his cigarette. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall disappearance of the bride.'" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Yes, he did." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, jewels which you have stolen?' you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in about here speaks of his kindness to him." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly written, and locked the door of the office after me. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Sutherland. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to gigantic client. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Stoke Moran?" said he. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to questionable one." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to if only as a check to my own memory." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that room. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "And now?" I asked. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most woman who has had her own way to make in the world. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "What do you mean?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing closing the door. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "And sit in the dark?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into disturbance in my wife." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with was shining brightly. bears upon the case?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "By no means." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, in a friendly supper." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." you give your casting vote to?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'What would be the hours?' I asked. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project over here." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "And I say east," said my patient. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you into her hand at the door and which lured her within their beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never had no one to advise her at such a crisis." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "You have it, sir, just as it happened." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little bonnet, and went out." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. photograph?" affair. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a detained." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. main points of my analysis." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "My stepfather's business papers." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the is worth.' "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he meant it for the best. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot see a sister of mine apply for." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the empty. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Yes." "9th. McCauley cleared. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Where did he live, then?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief of his shoulders. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "That is not always so easy." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't entirely lost his self-respect." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "What office?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but bled considerably." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody to affect your life." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we distinguish the words: you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "I have a cab outside." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest have had none more fantastic than this." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed,