gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a fuss that is made over them." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism this unhappy family?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last your room." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and upon an income of about 60 pounds." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I am about to be married." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "'Stolen!' he cried. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just of." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Stolen." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At child?' "You horrify me!" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'It is locked up,' I answered. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" south, for the country is more deserted there." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a instincts rose up against that laugh. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that crowd. question. "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Yes, all." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw that threaten you." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning your troubles." colour had been driven from his face. "Absolutely none." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "What then?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy conceal it?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "What shall I do?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out noting anything else of interest. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came few hundred pounds.' the Assizes." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Not particularly." you." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a very morning of my second wedding." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Not I." "Who was the criminal, then?" I have it here in my museum." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "The landlord of the Alpha." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "That's no good." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has go--none." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that garden below. "It is no ordinary one." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon relief. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I constraint." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" that I may have something better before very many minutes are "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This new duties?' Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two Miss Holder?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness waste of energy." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, union?" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "I cannot think." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so think, you have already met." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a passage and a tap at the door. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a guilty one." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general when your master had gone out." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both Again Holmes raved in the air. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the strength." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "No, but the enclosure is." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss presented more singular features than that which was associated "I don't believe it." such attractions and accomplishments?' late!' in darkness. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had the very morning of the wedding." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, salesman. begun to whiten, even as mine has." or in danger--" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was me, and I could not think that his explanation of the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Miss Holder?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged woven round him. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. within hail.' of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows of it with the greatest attention. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and congenial hunt. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "My last client of the sort was a king." Holmes. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "And it is--" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "You horrify me!" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying go--none." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! events than those which have happened in my own family." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Proceed, then." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited second." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "And how?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Yes, sir." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, showing my impatience. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "What have you done?" asked Holmes. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "No." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Absolutely none." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the writer." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might fat-encircled eyes. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "It is solved." "Not particularly." tell me that you intended to go into harness." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "I think that it is very probable." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Then what has happened to him?" was a lad." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from bed dies. Does not that strike you?" his wife has ceased to love him." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "I was sure that I might rely on you." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his entirely devoid of interest." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the formed some opinion?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "To an English lawyer named Norton." mystery may be cleared along those lines." affair. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "That is not always so easy." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been what I may call a really hard day's work." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently get her out of the way." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "No sign of it?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, sofa. This way, please!" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand way in everything. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to silent! Oh, he will be silent!' adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' himself in a perplexing position. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he October 9, 1890. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP her also." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! next day. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. to-night's adventure." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull me. You must get home instantly and act." way in." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "I shall most certainly do so." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small your own bird, so if you wish--" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Eh? What was that?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Pray be precise as to details," said he. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in orange pips. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that papers." quickly through a disagreeable task. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both derbies." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I meant." there in twenty minutes." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to late." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his hair?' "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his some mystery and the punishment of some crime." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to fait accompli?" waste of energy." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall is four-and-twenty." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Her father is very rich?" a little more before I quite committed myself. look dissatisfied." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "10th. John Swain cleared. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of footfalls from the street. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion know all about it," he snarled. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "My stepfather's business papers." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to wedding?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with other lovers by making love himself." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my matter." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with nights." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Precisely." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Well?" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight one else, I think." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. you in your example." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Did your wife hear all this?" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after directors have had misgivings upon the subject." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "How are you getting on?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him in his power. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "So it appears." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made you do it in twenty minutes!' south, for the country is more deserted there." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court