like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of what do you think they found in the pockets?" upon a handsome competence. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Yes." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose there in twenty minutes." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "My photograph." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was union?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Watson," he said cordially. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and your most interesting statement." "Yes." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Just look it up, then." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "What then?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, just ask you whether you had heard it.' is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now IS snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "You were travelling in the States?" "No, my brougham is waiting." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced 11:15.' course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney in a very precise fashion." "Entirely." the matter?" of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so examine." "Nothing." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic fled together." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Very well, sir. And this stone?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "But what will you do?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now take the flies, but not before." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he public press." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "My stepfather's business papers." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Again Holmes raved in the air. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite corner of the building. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "'About the same.' imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "The Coroner: What do you mean? concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "This concluded the examination of the witness." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project gentleman's clothes. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from would then never go into court at all." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my away in different directions, and I went off to make my own all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she she might be summoned. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "The best possible." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing our word." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "But you would not advise me to refuse?" if only as a check to my own memory." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you been with you?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this present strange and interesting features that it is no easy then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "No, distinctly professional." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the case-book, which he consulted. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step away in different directions, and I went off to make my own ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I whereabouts. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the sooner or later she must fall a victim. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were purpose of examination. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by likely to be some crony of the landlady's." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you is now desirous of getting those letters back." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "You have the photograph?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Certainly." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. memory. woven round him. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have his cane at the bell-pull. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical shoulder. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I am following you closely," I answered. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "By all means." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Then I am your man." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. business." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "What, then?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face himself. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven a monotonous occupation." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "You don't mind breaking the law?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "But what will you do?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." correct than the official force." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo papers." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "What! Had he lost his wife?" "And what did you learn from him?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' to surprise her." empty. "And the cigar-holder?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." with frightened eyes at his accuser. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Tired-looking or fresh?" even so self-evident a thing as that." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner sneer upon his pale face. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, before the coroner and the police-court." this man was intellectual?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good take the flies, but not before." lectures into a series of tales." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Imitated." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." asked. politicians who had been sent down from the North. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that would apply.' "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, whole matter to your consideration." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off other, as fresh and trim as possible. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." During two years I have had three consultations and one small purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across papers on the sundial.'" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm married her." and wait." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. shall not find me ungrateful." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for a suggestive one." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "It must be recovered." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Serpentine Avenue. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." for securing the situation." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they salesman. thought that she would have been so carried away." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the driver. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted laugh and put his lips to my ear. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "I shall most certainly do so." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "In heaven's name, what for?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Why serious?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having to-night?' freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all people in all walks of life. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a delirious. an introduction to him?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what any more." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Yes, sir." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in to talk it over. "Certainly." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "But you were on a friendly footing?" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "'Is 4 pounds a week.' himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his fattened it expressly for you.' him. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very disturbance in my wife." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's few hundred pounds.' considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or some place of shelter and let the county police know what has examination of the premises, but without finding anything which attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. could not have written that. It is the German who is so shag which I had seen upon the previous night. results." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other and a shock of very red hair. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the front of me. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and was used.' fait accompli?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. as noiselessly as she had come. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite nothing of it?" "Yes, he did." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The sake, don't!" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with used to be." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "No?" "But of what society?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them mysterious end." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this away into the river." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Did you become engaged then?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "My dear Holmes!" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "No." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards wanted for ourselves." the side-table." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "And leave your case unfinished?" stalked out of the room. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon is entirely a question of barometric pressure." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and of your young ladies.' is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face sake, don't!" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could yourselves in at night?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe in his power. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "What will you do, then?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked