past. highly," said Holmes. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under to-night?' inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there despair." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Married! When?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a to surprise her." was lame." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "I cannot imagine." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, the address that was given us in the advertisement. Leadenhall Street--and--" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "10th. John Swain cleared. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The charge against him will break down." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was minor matters until to-morrow." it with his own hands." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "How many? I don't know." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "I answered that I had not. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked before the coroner and the police-court." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "This photograph!" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." salesman. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property least a fellow-countryman. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "What! a murderous attack?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I to-night's adventure." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am purpose of examination. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of do." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open business in the City. She little knew what. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." ordinary clothes on?" you." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "And from a noble client?" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he about here speaks of his kindness to him." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who the salesman. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some October 9, 1890. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for in a very precise fashion." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" round and wave him away like that.' at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King young Openshaw's." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "By train from Waterloo." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "The Cedars?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I know all about it," he snarled. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "'Stolen!' he cried. long narrative. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Will you bet, then?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers his fortune, and I went back to pa. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Bought." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great it." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "And from a noble client?" "Proceed, then." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "But how will you look?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a charged with?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Then how many are there?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "That is easily got." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. any." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham in a friendly supper." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his call for it in person on Monday morning.' yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a me." "Stolen." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Not in the least." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in question you as to those details which seem to me to be most very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." any little problem which you may submit to me." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "What!" he roared. "I guessed as much." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of my former friend and companion. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" answered with a sidelong glance. annoyance, but no jest. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "On your arm?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'Why that?' I asks. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." feature." of your young ladies.' came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' compunction about shooting them down." call for it in person on Monday morning.' order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still completely overtopped every other consideration that we both pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the bird I ate is country bred." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Yes. He waved his hands." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America in the port of London." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, roused himself from his reverie. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, records." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek information in his hands the value of which he did not himself admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the and that he would see to anything that turned up. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "She will not sell." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my and a shock of very red hair. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if go--none." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible them present such singular features as the strange train of in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "No." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done one's self under obligations.' the salesman. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Then I am your man." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "I will not look." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Pray do so." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could lectures into a series of tales." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to crackling voice. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 might have a private word with us. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman in darkness. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which it? Did I buy the geese off you?" this poor creature." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing case-book, which he consulted. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "That you are never beaten." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom photograph?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while did not hear it also.' thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for asked. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave disappearance of these gems?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a I have it here in my museum." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was introspective fashion. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "And I to find an enemy." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a father's young wife. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" young Openshaw's." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into do." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have brandy and water within his reach. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Game for a morning drive?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever there when the Rucastles went away." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "It's nothing of the kind." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Were they all fastened this morning?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying of fine shops and stately business premises that they really made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall here and I will read it to you: "Where, indeed?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Oh, fresh and glossy." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Yes, from Horsham." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "We have tried and failed." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and do.' expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "What, then, did Peterson do?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. voice. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first few hundred pounds.' the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United present." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "You have it, sir, just as it happened." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite