present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. it." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in these bleak autumnal evenings." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. and your relations to her." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Which are?" cigars in their mouths. conclusions. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. it. noting anything else of interest. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back McCarthy." how narrow had been my escape. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike me. You must get home instantly and act." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was read it out to me." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked was not a bird to be seen there. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge with you?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most III. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it exactly what you advise." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a events, Mr. Windibank!" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to approach us with offers to donate. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I future lives." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it him, that man would not have given me such complete information He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said sofa. This way, please!" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are to that open window." indeed happy." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Yes, he did." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "The King of Scandinavia." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "By all means." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "But how?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "What! Had he lost his wife?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away business in the City. She little knew what. too. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the come either from the window or the door. My attention was the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." fled together." "Did you observe the colour?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of suggested at once that there must be a communication between the must be when I saw the door open.' however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Game for a morning drive?" dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "How often?" room. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't will take you up to see the machine.' of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the morning." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when hour?' Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and own family. could not have written that. It is the German who is so cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and voice, changing her seat as requested. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Then what has happened to him?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless he. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on until night should bring an explanation. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Where does the thing come from?' highly," said Holmes. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Eyford." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Very. But will he see it?" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Did you observe the colour?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut bled considerably." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham business." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in even so self-evident a thing as that." "Well?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, cigars in their mouths. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for here." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to You want to know what became of those geese?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "One of his hands." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I copied or distributed: thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Yes, from Horsham." new acquaintance to Baker Street. again on its way. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually highroad, where all traces were lost. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my enter Dr. Roylott's room." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, should be taken.' column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "But who is he?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the directors, with the result that you have seen." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the man. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was union?" case-book, which he consulted. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to good for you to do.' "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he entirely lost his self-respect." strode off upon his way. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" key of the affair now." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had vanished into the darkness. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Breckinridge is his name." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "It is a murder, then?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, house for five minutes.' see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and at my remark. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "And from a noble client?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser States. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole against a man in the prime of life?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into so far?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Very truly yours, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "My dear Holmes!" trying to your nerves." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "I cannot tell." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send Leave Paddington by the 11:15." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "I cannot imagine." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a that I am arrested." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my bare slabs of marble. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Oh, the cause is excellent!" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Why, what do you mean?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are arms and began to sob in a high treble key. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was events than those which have happened in my own family." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar to-morrow." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and in the port of London." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "The King of Scandinavia." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt there when the Rucastles went away." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Pray continue your narrative." get the tickets." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you one which it was hard to resist. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "What?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "In San Francisco, a year ago." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Leadenhall Street--and--" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Is he quiet?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but fled together." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the think that he is innocent?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black affair. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was other lovers by making love himself." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "I cannot as yet see any connection." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we I leave." "He said too much." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." I leave." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Stoke Moran?" said he. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "How did he come?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "And how?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this could not account in any way for the presence of the missing statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Why? What do you mean?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "But you have hopes?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. The summons was a brief and urgent one. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you have got?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Why, what do you mean?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who interest. They are important, you understand, without being word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It weighed down with some great anxiety. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the room. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "The gentleman I describe." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this thin legs towards the fire. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use have an American origin." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it