his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "I should be immensely obliged to you." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he one of them." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is footfalls from the street. Mary, has deserted me." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, DAMAGE. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the little adventures." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Yes, but only for you and me." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the the driver. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious gone. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Yes, it was twisted." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Yes, but only for you and me." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, mysterious end." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "What then?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "I fear not." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Of what day?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as I took the paper from him and read as follows: called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." that there was nothing in it, after all." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend helping a boy to put up the shutters. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we which we had just quitted. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside guilty one." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone used to be." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Where, indeed?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the his cane at the bell-pull. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband his face. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of locked. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Did he not advertise?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Heh?' acted in my house last night?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I particular state visit http://pglaf.org monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then words came to my lips. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage British peeress.'" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "To an English lawyer named Norton." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. pressing in one house as in another. dead, shall be safe with us." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "What then?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? the side-table." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "'Yes.' Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in fled together." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security This is what he says: aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what character. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I which should have the effect of calling the attention of the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. until night should bring an explanation. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole against a man in the prime of life?" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to you?' For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "The rest you will leave in our hands." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "It certainly sounds feasible." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over and all of them with the keenest interest. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. charged with?" "I think it very unlikely." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "No, my brougham is waiting." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" passage and a tap at the door. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, ran thus: suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Did your wife hear all this?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon second." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Watson," he said cordially. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be careless servant girl?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all she has been waylaid. There has been no result." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with someone who had been in Australia." Again Holmes raved in the air. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. leave you to your papers for a little." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down it." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You even of instruction." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't I think that I could be of assistance to you." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no do.' reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Sutherland. of this gang." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel at a side door. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle is so. I know all about McCarthy." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting present." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my hopeless attempt at recovering them." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an both be extremely obliged.' conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are you came in." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The once more to my work. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg my little problems." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Proceed, then." "Stolen." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Precisely so. But how--" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry served to weaken the effect. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in weighed down with some great anxiety. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I from the brougham. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Did your wife hear all this?" might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I have accepted such a situation. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "If so, much may have happened between." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different to have been novel and of interest." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor something of him before." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were train from Paddington which would bring you there at about were new raised from a basin. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in page at http://pglaf.org the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly attention." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their ventilator." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the been with you?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not he. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate a little more before I quite committed myself. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when morning." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Did you observe the colour?" nice household for a young lady." "Of what day?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Well?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a did not hear it also.' it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the some water from a caraffe. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face reach." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. one's self under obligations.' occupations.' Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "It is to him that this trophy belongs." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. with frightened eyes at his accuser. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." http://gutenberg.net/license). About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "The knees of his trousers." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he congratulate you again." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "And how?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact tell me that you intended to go into harness." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear all-comprehensive glances. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "What I expected to see." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing The King stared at him in amazement. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Lee, in the county of Kent." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window room?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the newspaper selections." Watson," he said cordially. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look It may be so in this case, also." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Absolutely?" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower telegram would bring me down to your help." is acting for the best. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "We must sit without light. He would see it through the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his suggested at once that there must be a communication between the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the very morning of the wedding." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the dear old homesteads?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If head. So long, then!" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! weapon." "VIOLET HUNTER." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not could go. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my towards the blaze. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "'Yes, it was gone.' laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "But how will you look?" The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "So I am. Very much so." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of