sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the DISSOLVED. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the and capable of preserving a secret.' hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was not within a twentieth part of the market price." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very on in his house." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your dramatic, in fact." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for considering the formidable letters which were received by himself passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "None." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" lips." "Ah!" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is indiscretion." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you this poor creature." back into the street. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the room?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "But his lameness?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and strode off upon his way. lectures into a series of tales." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at situation." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a there has been an enclosure here!" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT yet." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have that together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his is," said he presently: gone. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, voice, changing her seat as requested. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "'How far from the body?' figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Entirely." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband know what is wrong with it.' as the one I chose?' the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Entirely." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism just ask you whether you had heard it.' assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it trying to your nerves." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Where to?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous them present such singular features as the strange train of Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Sutherland?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence as this. Pray let me have the details." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black brandy and water within his reach. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as During two years I have had three consultations and one small when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off was the fact that his father should, according to his account, you want, then?' some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Witness: Nothing definite. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up deduce something from that?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Eyford." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a had died away into the silence from which it rose. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat never came back." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my spare." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his companion quietly. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. at my remark. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Cross for the Continent." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "'Ten to two.' that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "You'll never persuade me to believe that." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over unclasping of his long thin hands. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, crime. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and License. You must require such a user to return or would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "But how did you gain them?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know invisible to me," I remarked. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Entirely." to tell." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "'Yes.' "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. obstinate." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, and put his glass in his pocket. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion you in your example." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." when you have done it." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips present." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. garden below. "What is it?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Why did you pick him?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "My dear Holmes!" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "And I." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "'You cannot say what it was?' have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my quite distinctive." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "No legal papers or certificates?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Have you her photograph?" of." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. fishes. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." cause to be." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger comes from the middle window." passage and a tap at the door. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in village inn over there?" it with his own hands." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' strength of mind to control. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I sound at heart." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Never to return." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "I was sure that I might rely on you." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. bird I ate is country bred." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and off." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael corner of the building. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the key of the affair now." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured yourselves in at night?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are that I can to serve you." all?" an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Holmes' face clouded over. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. letters?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "ARAT," I read. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the little opening for the ventilator is." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be very peculiar words of the dying woman?" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Yes." chamber." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and train from Paddington which would bring you there at about the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all miles off. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is you in yours." "'Which dealer's?' dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me signal between you and your father? "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." have had none more fantastic than this." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but interests were the same as his." there in twenty minutes." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Of what day?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now there has been an enclosure here!" becomes even more simple." "Pray do so." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But and laid it on the table. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Certainly." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "The Coroner: What do you mean? room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. both be extremely obliged.' a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his his cane at the bell-pull. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with third from London." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Cross for the Continent." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become absorbing." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. fuss that is made over them." call for it in person on Monday morning.' photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Sutherland?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until answer." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a very peculiar words of the dying woman?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so way: "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I observed. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "His face fell immediately. as he folded up the epistle. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name yourselves in at night?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his