Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "'And what salary do you ask?' "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Why serious?" new duties?' very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE you." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "And on what day did he meet his death?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "'Is 4 pounds a week.' so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "It looks newer than the other things?" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for him to go away.' out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Street. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, stalked out of the room. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. matter." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure in a very precise fashion." the nursery. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not husband's writing, madam." enter Dr. Roylott's room." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Oh, yes, easily." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the there when the Rucastles went away." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in depend upon your compliance." "And who is her maid?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and October 9, 1890. keep the flames under. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." throat." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "And your father? Did you tell him?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his now. It seems that there had been some informality about their you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated shall not find me ungrateful." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I your only hope of safety." at home. character. to you." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a my former friend and companion. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there to take care of herself." your bag." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with to have that photograph." "I cannot imagine." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one not as remarkable as your advertisement." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. chance at all." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a he died? "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. was keenly on my guard against him. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a you." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "The gentleman I describe." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried conceal it?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right window when the police appeared." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "What I expected to see." The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Where is it, then?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "But the mystery?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I wedding?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. always that they were such commands as a lady might with about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "What, then, did Peterson do?" pierced for earrings?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "None." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "You forget that I know nothing about it." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, you for a few hours?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have approach us with offers to donate. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got them?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused question. undoubtedly my uncle's." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that which are rolled in Rotterdam." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "No." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right fear." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I official police." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips business at Coburg Square is serious." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. you in yours." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" You want to know what became of those geese?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing that he has suffered." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the ordinary clothes on?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your were wasted." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Where is it, then?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at if only as a check to my own memory." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove rat could hardly pass through." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "'I have already given you my word.' season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "What will you do, then?" as this. Pray let me have the details." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." had formerly been in part my own. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this away into the river." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had experiences." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help had picked up in the wood. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you to Leatherhead. back to my heart. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread of note-paper. It read in this fashion: seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the and wait." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Of Friday, June 19th." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the one of the states of the Union." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put digesting their breakfasts at home." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary particular state visit http://pglaf.org There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay because she had spent so short a time in this country that she had a long day." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have direction." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a taking in every detail of the apartment. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "You horrify me!" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the friends, not even his own brother. McCarthy." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "I think that I had better go, Holmes." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "In heaven's name, what for?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" man. I know him from the photograph." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "The gentleman I describe." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Yes." peculiar to him. Holmes' thin, eager face. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "I was mad--insane." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide here and I will read it to you: of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any digesting their breakfasts at home." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running best detective that ever lived. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in ran thus: you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you is so. I know all about McCarthy." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a unclasping of his long thin hands. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point is so. I know all about McCarthy." fishes. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know it right.' foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. you, my dear young lady?' "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "My own seal." "Then the page we have seen--" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll seem to you to be relevant or not." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" you." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Then you may entirely rely on me." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid chance." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag felt the room to be a little close.' "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning not as remarkable as your advertisement." shaken than I had ever seen him. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "'I am sure if I had known--' all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates rat could hardly pass through." least a most suspicious remark." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the green of the new foliage. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "I answered that I had not. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Bought." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls newspaper selections." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive