"'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily peculiar to him. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue know that the truth is known." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was washing it down with a long draught of water. never came back." up this clue while it is still hot." success. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" noble correspondent could be. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "'Yes.' set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "I was sure that I might rely on you." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Your French gold?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper following enigmatical notices: them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "I guessed as much." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Yes." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "What then?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Perfectly so." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can you in your example." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "She will not sell." certainly not very gracious." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Dr. Gregory B. Newby that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "What steps will you take?" I asked. "The Cedars?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "But how?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug photograph?" in a friendly supper." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train said I. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Proceed, then." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed my room." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "What of the rat, then?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. front of me. death." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you your billet.' I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am salesman. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem enough to aid us in our search." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has During two years I have had three consultations and one small top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "His face fell immediately. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Why did you beat the pavement?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Yes, he did." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly placed his cuttings. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the examine." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Thank you. And your address?" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would would then never go into court at all." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "How did you trace it, then?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening him to go away.' said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry most interesting one." a suggestive one." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "'Yes.' so.' "Nearly eleven." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the ventilator." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "He is still with you, I presume?" "In answer to an advertisement." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a habit of advancing money.' feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be singular points about the case. What did the police think of the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came late." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, astonishment. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and anything to do with the matter?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Why serious?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "But his left-handedness." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "What have you done?" asked Holmes. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" from you?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't appeared upon the scene." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon thin legs towards the fire. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap be sorry for having acted so harshly." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate orange pips. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. golden eyeglasses. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the was a perfect sample of the class. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" reach." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "He said too much." the coronet at all injured?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "By no means." "None." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Have you it here?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I should like to see him very much." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "What shall I do?" him and tried to hold him back. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so handed it to him. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. the loss of it. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Then you may entirely rely on me." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery more solid." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without shaken than I had ever seen him. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at British peeress.'" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they chemical work which was so dear to him. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Seven!" I answered. Lee, in the county of Kent." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine of it with the greatest attention. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one hopeless attempt at recovering them." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "None." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of fled together." this poor creature." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Where does the thing come from?' "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right to talk it over. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he in this note: point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and tell them apart.' "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him once more. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone fattened it expressly for you.' dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "I guessed as much." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you will be renamed. observed. chance at all." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the the bed, and you in that chair." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up chair. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Then how many are there?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and to arrive at through this?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like breakfast?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the you want, then?' attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from paper in the air. "'Stolen!' he cried. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded she slowly sank and died without having recovered her contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid was keenly on my guard against him. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "You horrify me." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his house for five minutes.' 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must was already answered. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "By all means." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per people don't know." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "I will try. What is it?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "And is that all?" stepfather?" "I fear not." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once followed. the general public were present, then?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "They are typewritten," I remarked. "'Yes, sir.' geese which you supplied to the Alpha." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us into her hand at the door and which lured her within their huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had started for the Temple to see my husband. drove away. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." crowd. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. he died? "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the one as in the other." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, the child." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just that threaten you." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his neither fascinating nor artistic." "She told me to ask you." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Holmes rather sternly. "No good news?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were views." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, hopeless attempt at recovering them." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are never will be, entirely cleared up. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As do." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "But of what society?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be this Miss Turner." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in not fit the lock." ago." bill, which interests me deeply." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have careless servant girl?" me." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Yes." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were late." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the